WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Jess
Part of Speech : n.;
Etymology : [OF. gies, giez, prop. pl. of giet, get, jet, F. jet, a throwing, jess. See Jet a shooting forth.] (falconry)
Definition : Defn: 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. Like a hawk, which feeling freed From bells and jesses which did let her flight. Spenser.

pl. Jesses.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913