hessian

hessian

a coarse jute fabric similar to sacking, used for bags, upholstery, etc.

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Hessian

1. a native or inhabitant of Hesse

2. 

a. a Hessian soldier in any of the mercenary units of the British Army in the War of American Independence or the Napoleonic Wars

b. US any German mercenary in the British Army during the War of American Independence

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hessian [′hesh·ən]

(textiles)

burlap

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Hessian [′hesh·ən]

(mathematics)

For a function ƒ(x₁, …,x_n) ofnreal variables, the real-valued function of (x₁, …,x_n) given by the determinant of the matrix with entry ∂²ƒ/∂x_i∂x_jin theith row andjth column; used for analyzing critical points.

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burlap, Brit hessian canvas

A coarse woven fabric of jute, hemp, or, less commonly, flax, for use as a water-retaining covering in curing concrete surfaces or as a reinforcement in plaster.