hanse

& a. [O. Fr. hanse =a company, society, or corporation of merchants, from O. H. Ger.hansa; Ger. hanse an a ociation or league.] A. As subst.: A league; a confederacy. B. As adj.: The same as HANSEATIC (q. v.). Hanse-towns. s. Hist.: The towns which confederated together to torm the Hanseatic league; also the league itself. [HANSEATIC-LEAGUE.] 2126