Hanse

Hanse \Hanse\ (h[a^]ns), 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.
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Hanse \Hanse\, n. [G. hanse, or F. hanse (from German), OHG. &
   Goth. hansa; akin to AS. h[=o]s 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, L["u]beck, Hamburg, and Bremen, are {free
      cities}, and are still frequently called Hanse towns.
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