noun

1. Archaic armor and other military equipment for a man or horse
2. the assemblage of leather straps and metal pieces by which a horse, mule, etc. is fastened to a vehicle, plow, or load
3. any trappings or gear similar to this; specif.,
   1. the straps, etc. by which a parachute is fastened to a person or object
   2. a device for raising and lowering the warp threads on a loom
4. a set of electrical wires that can be quickly connected or disconnected as a unit at pluglike junctions

Etymology: ME harneis < OFr, armor < ON *hernest, military supplies < herr, army, akin to harry + nest, provisions

transitive verb

1. Obsolete to put armor on
2. 1. to put harness on (a horse, etc.)
   2. to attach (a horse, etc.) with a harness to something, as a wagon
3. to control so as to use the power of to harness one's energy