a large market-town of the Netherlands, in the province of East Flanders, and the arrondissement of the Dender. It is situated on the river Durme, on the high road from Ghent to Antwerp. It stands in a district yielding heavy crops of corn, hemp, flax, and clover and linseed, which form its chief objects of commerce. It has also manufacturing establishments for making cotton and linen goods, lace, and other goods. It contains 1800 houses, with 12,800 inhabitants.