Defn: A short strap of leather or silk secured round the leg of a hawk, to which the leash or line, wrapped round the falconer's hand, was attached when used. See Illust. of Falcon. Like a hawk, which feeling freed From bells and jesses which did let her flight. Spenser.
JESSAMINE
Jes"sa*mine, n. (Bot.)
Defn: Same as Jasmine.
JESSANT
Jes"sant, a. (Her.)
Defn: Springing up or emerging; — said of a plant or animal.
JESSE
Jes"se, n. Etym: [LL.Jesse, the father of David, fr. Gr. Yishai.]
Defn: Any representation or suggestion of the genealogy of Christ, in decorative art; as: (a) A genealogical tree represented in stained glass. (b) A candlestick with many branches, each of which bears the name of some one of the descendants of Jesse; — called also tree of Jesse. Jesse window (Arch.), a window of which the glazing and tracery represent the tree of Jesse.
JESSED
Jessed, a. (Her.)
Defn: Having jesses on, as a hawk.
JEST Jest, n. Etym: [OE. jeste, geste, deed, action, story, tale, OF. geste, LL. gesta, orig., exploits, neut. pl. from L. gestus, p. p. of gerere to bear, carry, accomplish, perform; perh. orig., to make to come, bring, and perh. akin to E. come. Cf. Gest a deed, Register, n.]