harness

[ hahr-nis ]

/ ˈhɑr nɪs /

|||

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR harness ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the combination of straps, bands, and other parts forming the working gear of a draft animal.Compare yoke¹(def 1).

(on a loom) the frame containing heddles through which the warp is drawn and which, in combination with another such frame or other frames, forms the shed and determines the woven pattern.

the equipment, as straps, bolts, or gears, by which a large bell is mounted and rung.

Electricity. wiring harness.

armor for persons or horses.

verb (used with object)

to put a harness on (a horse, donkey, dog, etc.); attach by a harness, as to a vehicle.

to bring under conditions for effective use; gain control over for a particular end: to harness water power; to harness the energy of the sun.

Archaic. to array in armor or equipments of war.

Nearby words

Idioms

in double harness. double harness(def 2).

in harness,

engaged in one's usual routine of work: After his illness he longed to get back in harness.
together as cooperating partners or equals: Joe and I worked in harness on our last job.

Origin of harness

1250–1300; Middle English harneis, herneis < Old French herneis baggage, equipment < Old Norse *hernest provisions for an armed force, equivalent to herr army (cf. harbor, herald) + nest provisions for a journey

SYNONYMS FOR harness

7. control, manage, utilize, exploit.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR harness ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

har·ness·er, nounhar·ness·less, adjectivehar·ness·like, adjectivere·har·ness, verb (used with object)

well-har·nessed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for harness

The protests so far have relied on a small group of core organizing bodies to harness broad but diffuse support.
Eric Garner Protesters Have a Direct Line to City Hall|Jacob Siegel|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 1870, the very Germanically-named August Ruengling fixed a harness for a circus rider and obtained free passes for his family.
We’re All Carnies Now: Why We Can’t Quit the Circus|Anthony Paletta|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 1899, with a three hundred dollar investment, they opened a small saddlery and harness shop.
‘The Harness Maker’s Dream:’ The Unlikely Ranch King of Texas|Nick Kotz|September 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Whether or not guayusa is a product of selective breeding, the Kichwa have learned to harness its power.
Bye Bye Latté, Hello Guayusa: Why The Amazon Holds the Secret to a Cleaner, Healthier Caffeine|Brandon Presser|August 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

London may as well also require that cabbies master the art of saddling a horse and mending a harness.
As Europe Now Sees, Resisting Uber Is Futile|Jim Epstein|June 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The truth is, that we need both the discipline of harness and the abundant nourishment of the free pasture.
The Intellectual Life|=Philip Gilbert Hamerton
I wanted him to turn out a set of harness, and take the cow and the sap troughs.
The Pioneers|James Fenimore Cooper
Philippe was not cold; he perspired in his harness, dreading further questions.
Maitre Cornelius|Honore de Balzac
They may harness her talents and her willingness in founding Swadeshi Sabha and organising Swadeshi propaganda on a sound basis.
The Wheel of Fortune|Mahatma Gandhi
So when the little mare trotted away still calling to him, he kicked off his harness and galloped delightedly after her.
Stories from Northern Myths|Emilie Kip Baker

British Dictionary definitions for harness

harness

/ (ˈhɑːnɪs) /

noun

an arrangement of leather straps buckled or looped together, fitted to a draught animal in order that the animal can be attached to and pull a cart

something resembling this, esp for attaching something to the bodya parachute harness

mountaineering an arrangement of webbing straps that enables a climber to attach himself to the rope so that the impact of a fall is minimized

the total system of electrical leads for a vehicle or aircraft

weaving the part of a loom that raises and lowers the warp threads, creating the shed

archaic armour collectively

in harness at one's routine work

verb (tr)

to put harness on (a horse)

(usually foll by to) to attach (a draught animal) by means of harness to (a cart, etc)

to control so as to employ the energy or potential power ofto harness the atom

to equip or clothe with armour

Derived Formsharnesser, nounharnessless, adjectiveharness-like, adjective

Word Origin for harness

C13: from Old French harneis baggage, probably from Old Norse hernest (unattested) provisions, from herr army + nest provisions

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for harness

harness

c.1300, "personal fighting equipment, body armor," also "armor or trappings of a war-horse," from Old French harnois "arms, equipment; harness; male genitalia; tackle; household equipment," of uncertain origin, perhaps from Old Norse *hernest "provisions for an army," from herr "army" (see harry) + nest "provisions" (see nostalgia). Non-military sense of "fittings for a beast of burden" is from early 14c. German Harnisch "harness, armor" is the French word, borrowed into Middle High German. The Celtic words also are believed to be from French, as are Spanish arnes, Portuguese arnez, Italian arnese. Prive harness (late 14c.) was a Middle English term for "sex organs."

harness

"to put a harness on a draught animal," c.1300, from Old French harneschier, from harnois (see harness (n.)); figurative sense is from 1690s. Related: Harnessed; harnessing.

Idioms and Phrases with harness

harness

see die with one's boots on (in harness) in harness.

harness

noun

verb (used with object)

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of harness

Examples from the Web for harness

harness

noun

verb (tr)

Word Origin for harness

harness

harness

harness