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hanse definition

hanse (hans)

noun

  1. a medieval guild of merchants
  2. a fee paid to this guild

Etymology: ME < MFr & < ML hansa, both < MHG & MLowG hanse, association of merchants < OHG hansa, band of men, akin to OE hos, a troop

hanse Idioms

the Hanse

a medieval league of free towns in N Germany and adjoining countries, formed to promote and protect their economic interests: the leading members were Bremen, Lübeck, and Hamburg
also the Hansa; now usually Hanseatic League

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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