Hansa

Han·sa

noun \ˈhan(t)-sə, ˈhän-(ˌ)zä\

Definition of HANSA

1

: a league originally constituted of merchants of various free German cities dealing abroad in the medieval period and later of the cities themselves and organized to secure greater safety and privileges in trading

2

: a medieval merchant guild or trading association

— Han·se·at·ic \ˌhan(t)-sē-ˈa-tik\ noun or adjective

Variants of HANSA

Han·sa or Hanse \ˈhan(t)s, ˈhän-zə\

Origin of HANSA

Hansa from Medieval Latin, from Middle Low German hanse; Hanse from Middle English Hanze, from Anglo-French hanse, from Middle Low German

First Known Use: 15th century