Hessian (Cloth)

Hessian (Cloth)

"Burlap redirects here, for other uses see Burlap (disambiguation)"Hessian or Burlap (Chiefly US) [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9506E7DA153FE633A25750C1A9619C946296D6CF TARIFF TALK HURT HESSIANS OF INDIA; Traveler Tells of Blue Times in Ca... - Article Preview - The New York Times ] ] is a coarse woven fabric usually made from jute and allied vegetable fibers.

The name 'burlap' appears to be of unknown origin [OED] . The name 'hessian' is attributed to the use of the fabric, initially, as part of the uniform of soldiers from the German state of Hesse. [OED]

Uses

Hessian/Burlap is often used to make sacks and bags to ship goods like coffee beans. It is breathable and thus resists condensation and associated spoilage of the contents. It is also durable enough to withstand rough handling in transit; these properties have also led to its use for temporary protection of setting cement and concrete by the construction industry.

Due to its coarse texture, it is not commonly used in modern apparel. However this roughness gave it a use in a religious context for self-mortification, where individuals may wear an abrasive shirt called a cilice or 'hairshirt' and in the wearing of 'sackcloth' on Ash Wednesday. Owing to its durability, open weave, naturally non-shiny refraction, and fuzzy texture, Ghillie suits are often made of hessian. It was also a popular material for camouflage scrim on combat helmets of World War Two. Until the advent of the plastic "leafy" multi-color net system following the Vietnam War, burlap scrim was also woven onto shrimp and fish netting to create large military camouflage netting.

As Hessian, it has been used by fine artists as an alternative to canvas as a stretched painting surface.

ee also

*Sackcloth and ashes

References


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  • Hessian cloth — Hessian Hes sian, a. Of or relating to Hesse, in Germany, or to the Hessians. [1913 Webster] {Hessian boots}, or {Hessians}, boot of a kind worn in England, in the early part of the nineteenth century, tasseled in front. Thackeray. {Hessian… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • hessian cloth — noun see hessian II, 4 …   Useful english dictionary

  • Hessian — Hes sian, a. Of or relating to Hesse, in Germany, or to the Hessians. [1913 Webster] {Hessian boots}, or {Hessians}, boot of a kind worn in England, in the early part of the nineteenth century, tasseled in front. Thackeray. {Hessian cloth}, or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Hessian boots — Hessian Hes sian, a. Of or relating to Hesse, in Germany, or to the Hessians. [1913 Webster] {Hessian boots}, or {Hessians}, boot of a kind worn in England, in the early part of the nineteenth century, tasseled in front. Thackeray. {Hessian… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Hessian crucible — Hessian Hes sian, a. Of or relating to Hesse, in Germany, or to the Hessians. [1913 Webster] {Hessian boots}, or {Hessians}, boot of a kind worn in England, in the early part of the nineteenth century, tasseled in front. Thackeray. {Hessian… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Hessian fly — Hessian Hes sian, a. Of or relating to Hesse, in Germany, or to the Hessians. [1913 Webster] {Hessian boots}, or {Hessians}, boot of a kind worn in England, in the early part of the nineteenth century, tasseled in front. Thackeray. {Hessian… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Hessian — The term Hessian refers to the inhabitants of the German state of Hesse.Hessian may also mean: * Hessian (soldiers), soldiers from German states with in the Holy Roman Empire who fought in the American Revolutionary War and other conflicts *… …   Wikipedia

  • Hessian — Hes sian, n. 1. A native or inhabitant of Hesse. [1913 Webster] 2. A mercenary or venal person. [U. S.] [1913 Webster] Note: This use is a relic of the patriot hatred of the Hessian mercenaries who served with the British troops in the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Hessian — [hesh′ən] adj. of Hesse or its people n. 1. a person born or living in Hesse 2. any of the Hessian mercenaries who fought for the British in the Revolutionary War 3. [h ] a coarse cloth used for bags …   English World dictionary

  • hessian — hes|si|an [ˈhesiən US ˈheʃən] n [U] BrE thick rough cloth sometimes used for making ↑sacks American Equivalent: burlap …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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