Dictionary-Definition.com :: Harness definition

Definition of 'harness'

noun

A support consisting of an arrangement of straps for holding something to the body (especially one supporting a person suspended from a parachute)

noun

Stable gear consisting of an arrangement of leather straps fitted to a draft animal so that it can be attached to and pull a cart

verb

Put a harness; "harness the horse" [syn: harness, tackle] [ant: unharness]

verb

Exploit the power of; "harness natural forces and resources"

verb

Control and direct with or as if by reins; "rein a horse" [syn: harness, rein in, draw rein, rein]

verb

Keep in check; "rule one's temper" [syn: rule, harness, rein]

From: GCIDE

Harness \Har"ness\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Harnessed (-n[e^]st); p. pr. & vb. n. Harnessing.] [OE. harneisen; cf. F. harnacher, OF. harneschier.]
1. To dress in armor; to equip with armor for war, as a horseman; to array. [1913 Webster]
Harnessed in rugged steel. --Rowe. [1913 Webster]
A gay dagger, Harnessed well and sharp as point of spear. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
2. Fig.: To equip or furnish for defense. --Dr. H. More. [1913 Webster]
3. To make ready for draught; to equip with harness, as a horse. Also used figuratively. [1913 Webster]
Harnessed to some regular profession. --J. C. Shairp. [1913 Webster]
Harnessed antelope. (Zool.) See Guib.
Harnessed moth (Zool.), an American bombycid moth ({Arctia phalerata} of Harris), having, on the fore wings, stripes and bands of buff on a black ground. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Harness \Har"ness\ (-n[e^]s), n. [OE. harneis, harnes, OF. harneis, F. harnais, harnois; of Celtic origin; cf. Armor. harnez old iron, armor, W. haiarn iron, Armor. houarn, Ir. iarann, Gael. iarunn. Cf. Iron.]
1. Originally, the complete dress, especially in a military sense, of a man or a horse; hence, in general, armor. [1913 Webster]
At least we'll die with harness on our back. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. The equipment of a draught or carriage horse, for drawing a wagon, coach, chaise, etc.; gear; tackling. [1913 Webster]
3. The part of a loom comprising the heddles, with their means of support and motion, by which the threads of the warp are alternately raised and depressed for the passage of the shuttle. [1913 Webster]
To die in harness, to die with armor on; hence, colloquially, to die while actively engaged in work or duty. [1913 Webster]

Harness
Heb. 'asar, "to bind;" hence the act of fastening animals to a cart (1 Sam. 6:7, 10; Jer. 46:4, etc.).
An Old English word for "armour;" Heb. neshek (2 Chr. 9:24).
Heb. shiryan, a coat of mail (1 Kings 22:34; 2 Chr. 18:33; rendered "breastplate" in Isa. 59:17).
The children of Israel passed out of Egypt "harnessed" (Ex. 13:18), i.e., in an orderly manner, and as if to meet a foe. The word so rendered is probably a derivative from Hebrew _hamesh_ (i.e., "five"), and may denote that they went up in five divisions, viz., the van, centre, two wings, and rear-guard.