unharness

[ uhn-hahr-nis ]

/ ʌnˈhɑr nɪs /

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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.

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Origin of unharness

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

Words nearby unharness

unhandled, unhandsome, unhandy, unhappy, unharmed, unharness, unhasp, unhatched, UNHCR, unhealed, unhealthful

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

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