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harnesses

- 3 dictionary results

har⋅ness

[hahr-nis]
–noun
1. the combination of straps, bands, and other parts forming the working gear of a draft animal. Compare yoke 1 (def. 1).
2. (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.
3. the equipment, as straps, bolts, or gears, by which a large bell is mounted and rung.
4. Electricity. wiring harness.
5. armor for persons or horses.
–verb (used with object)
6. to put a harness on (a horse, donkey, dog, etc.); attach by a harness, as to a vehicle.
7. 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.
8. Archaic. to array in armor or equipments of war.
9. in double harness. double harness (def. 2).
10. in harness,
a. engaged in one's usual routine of work: After his illness he longed to get back in harness.
b. together as cooperating partners or equals: Joe and I worked in harness on our last job.

Origin:
1250–1300; ME harneis, herneis < OF herneis baggage, equipment < ON *hernest provisions for an armed force, equiv. to herr army (cf. harbor, herald ) + nest provisions for a journey


har⋅ness⋅er, noun
har⋅ness⋅less, adjective
har⋅ness⋅like, adjective


7. control, manage, utilize, exploit.

wiring harness

–noun Electricity.
a system of insulated conducting wires bound together with insulating materials, used in the electrical system of a machine, as a motor vehicle or washing machine.
Also called harness.
har·ness   (här'nĭs)   
n.  
  1. The gear or tackle, other than a yoke, with which a draft animal pulls a vehicle or implement.
  2. Something resembling such gear or tackle, as the arrangement of straps used to hold a parachute to the body.
  3. A device that raises and lowers the warp threads on a loom.
  4. Archaic Armor for a man or horse.
tr.v.   har·nessed, har·ness·ing, har·ness·es
    1. To put a harness on (a draft animal).
    2. To fasten by the use of a harness.
  1. To bring under control and direct the force of: If you can harness your energy, you will accomplish a great deal.

[Middle English harnes, from Old French harneis, of Germanic origin; see nes-1 in Indo-European roots.]
har'ness·er n.
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