harness
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Synonyms for harness
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for harnessing
utilize, tame, exploit, curb, tackle, mobilize, fetter, secure, accouter, strap, apply, rig, check, muzzle, hold, fit, leash, tie, channel, equipExamples from the Web for harnessing
Contemporary Examples of harnessing
Winter Resort operators are harnessing an unlikely source to power their operations: the sun.
The system could operate on a closed loop, recycling its water and harnessing the power of the sun.
In effect, then, the resort is harnessing the power of the sun to turn seawater into a nourishing resource—for people and plants.
With evangelical zeal, he invites the applauding audience to join him in harnessing “the power of paper and glue.”
It is an engagement technique aimed at harnessing passive discontent into PR stunts that raise awareness.
Oh to be a Butterfly...June 22, 2012
Historical Examples of harnessing
He chuckled all through the harnessing of Daniel, the venerable white horse.
Cap'n EriJoseph Crosby Lincoln
But I was not aware that you had engaged in roping or harnessing the animal.
Glyn Severn's SchooldaysGeorge Manville Fenn
The harnessing of an Italian diligence is a mystery to all but an Italian postilion.
Pilgrimage from the Alps to the TiberJames Aitken Wylie
Beechnut did not answer to this proposal, but went on harnessing the horse.
StuyvesantJacob Abbott
Carriers' men were harnessing the freshly groomed bays to the pole.
Complete Short WorksGeorg Ebers
harness
- 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
- 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
Word Origin for harness
Word Origin and History for harnessing
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.
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."
Idioms and Phrases with harnessing
harness
see die with one's boots on (in harness) in harness.