Hans

n. An official report of proceedings in the British Parliament; -- so called from the name of the publishers. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A merchant of one of the Hanse towns. See the Note under 2d Hanse. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ G. hanse, or F. hanse (from German), OHG. & Goth. hansa; akin to AS. hōs band, troop. ] An association; a league or confederacy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hanse towns (Hist.), certain commercial cities in Germany which associated themselves for the protection and enlarging of their commerce. The confederacy, called also Hansa and Hanseatic league, held its first diet in 1260, and was maintained for nearly four hundred years. At one time the league comprised eighty-five cities. Its remnants, Lübeck, Hamburg, and Bremen, are free cities, and are still frequently called Hanse towns. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. anse handle, anse de panier surbased arch, flat arch, vault, and E. haunch hip. ] (Arch.) That part of an elliptical or many-centered arch which has the shorter radius and immediately adjoins the impost. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to the Hanse towns, or to their confederacy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hanseatic league. See under 2d Hanse. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. & v. See Handsel. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A sort of breeches. [ Obs. ] Chaucer.