Main Entry: Hesse

Pronunciation: \ˈhes, ˈhe-sē\

Variant(s): or G Hes·sen \ˈhe-s^ən\

Function: geographical name

1 region W central Germany N of Baden-Württemberg, divided into Hesse–Darmstadt (in the S) & Hesse–Cas·sel \-ˈka-s^əl, -ˈkä-\ (in the N), the latter being united with Prussia in 1866 as part of the province of Hesse–Nassau along with the duchy of Nassau & the city of Frankfurt am Main
2 state of the Weimar Republic, equivalent to Hesse-Darmstadt
3 state of Germany & formerly of West Germany including larger part of Hesse-Darmstadt & part of Hesse-Nassau ∗ Wiesbaden area 8151 square miles (21,111 square kilometers), population 5,763,300