noun
Uncommon
Jess
jehs
Jess (noun) means a short strap fastened around a hawk's leg in falconry, used to attach a leash. Example: “The falconer checked the jess before letting the bird settle on her glove.”
noun
1
A short strap fastened around a hawk's leg in falconry, used to attach a leash.
"The falconer checked the jess before letting the bird settle on her glove."
verb
1
To fit a hawk with jesses.
"The trainer jessed the young falcon before its first flight."
How to use Jess
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA falconry term for the leg-strap used to control a trained hawk, or the act of fitting one.
When to use it
A specialist term used almost exclusively in falconry.
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Word forms
- Plural
- jesses
- Third person singular
- jesses
- Past tense
- jessed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The falconer checked the _____ before letting the bird settle on her glove.
Etymology
From Old French ges, from Latin iactus, "a throw" — the same root that gives us "jet" and "project."
Rhymes for Jess
See all rhymes for Jess →Frequently asked questions
What does “Jess” mean?
The word “Jess” means a short strap fastened around a hawk's leg in falconry, used to attach a leash. In plain terms, a falconry term for the leg-strap used to control a trained hawk, or the act of fitting one.
How do you pronounce “Jess”?
“Jess” is pronounced jehs (/d͡ʒɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “Jess” in a sentence?
Here is “Jess” used in a sentence: “The falconer checked the jess before letting the bird settle on her glove.”
What part of speech is “Jess”?
Depending on how it is used, “Jess” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “Jess” come from?
The word “Jess” comes from Latin. From Old French ges, from Latin iactus, "a throw" — the same root that gives us "jet" and "project.".
Is “Jess” a common word?
“Jess” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Jess” have?
“Jess” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short strap fastened around a hawk's leg in falconry, used to attach a leash.
What is the difference between a jess and a leash in falconry?
A jess is a short strap fastened around a hawk's leg, while the leash is a separate line attached to the jesses to restrain the bird. The jess itself does not restrain the hawk on its own; it provides the attachment point for the leash.
Is 'Jess' the falconry term the same as the name Jess?
No, they are unrelated. 'Jess' as a falconry term refers to the leg strap used to attach a leash to a hawk, while 'Jess' as a name is typically a nickname for Jessica or Jessie.
Can jess be used as a verb as well as a noun?
Yes, jess can also function as a verb meaning to fit a hawk with jesses, in addition to its noun sense describing the strap itself.
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