unharness

[ uhn-hahr-nis ]

verb (used with object)

to strip of harness; detach the harness from (a horse, mule, etc.).
to divest of armor, as a knight or warhorse.

Origin of unharness

First recorded in 1400–50, unharness is from the Middle English word onharnesen.See un-², harness

Words Nearby unharness

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use unharness in a sentence

So Mr. George and Rollo dismounted, and the hostlers came out from the stable to unharness the horses.
Rollo in Holland | Jacob Abbott
O Maruts, you have rejoiced in it clearly, put down then all anger and unharness your horses!
Sacred Books of the East | Various
Men unharness the steeds from his triumphal car, and draw him in triumph through the flower-garlanded streets.
Ruth Hall | Fanny Fern
"You needn't unharness," shouted Mrs. Failing, for Stephen was approaching the carriage.
The Longest Journey | E. M. Forster
Nor was there time to unharness the animal, but he was detached by summarily cutting the harness.
Great Events in the History of North and South America | Charles A. Goodrich

British Dictionary definitions for unharness

unharness

/ (ʌnˈhɑːnɪs) /

verb(tr)

to remove the harness from (a horse, etc)
archaic to remove the armour from

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

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