a town of Belgium, in the province of W. Flanders, on the Shipvaar Canal, near the French frontier, 26 miles S. by W. of Ostend. It is pretty well built, and surrounded by walls; and contains several churches and convents, a fine town-hall, a college, hospital, orphan asylum, and several schools. There are here woollen factories, taneries, soap-works, potteries, oil-mills, dye-works, and other manufacturing establishments. Hops are extensively raised in the vicinity; and these, together with corn and cattle, form the chief articles of trade. Pop. 10,849.