Jesses

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Jess \Jess\, n.; pl. {Jesses}. [OF. gies, giez, prop. pl. of
     giet, get, jet, F. jet, a throwing, jess. See {Jet} a
     shooting forth.] (falconry)
     A short strap of leather or silk secured round the leg of a
     hawk, to which the leash or line, wrapped round the
     falconer's hand, was attached when used. See Illust. of


     {Falcon}.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Like a hawk, which feeling freed
           From bells and jesses which did let her flight.
                                                    --Spenser.
     [1913 Webster]