jess
/d͡ʒɛs/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: jessing · jessed
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A short strap fastened around the leg of a bird used in falconry, to which a leash may be fastened.
Noun
Examples
Haukes haue about theyr legges gesses made of lether moste comonly, some of silke which should no lenger but that the knottes of them should appere in ye myddes of the left hande betwene the longe fynger and the leche fynger bicause the lewnes should be fastened to them with a payre of tyrettes, whi
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To fasten a strap around the leg of a hawk.
Verb
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “jess” mean?
A short strap fastened around the leg of a bird used in falconry, to which a leash may be fastened.
Is “jess” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.