harness Hear it!

harness Definition

har·ness (här′nis)

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
    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

harness Idioms

in double harness

  1. in a harness for two animals pulling the same carriage, plow, etc.
  2. married
  3. working at two jobs

in harness

in or at one's routine work

in harness with

in cooperation with

harness Synonyms

harness

n.

tackle, gear, yoke, apparatus, bridle, accoutrements, rigging, fittings. see also bit 4, halter 1, saddle.

Parts of a horse's harness include: bellyband, terret, breeching, breeching strap, crupper, front, blind, crownpiece, overcheck, facepiece, cheekpiece, breast collar, breastband, throatlatch, bit, martingale, blinker, browband, noseband, neck strap, checkhook, overcheck rein, hipstrap, trace, tug, collar, collar pad, hame, surcingle;

in harness

at work, occupied, working; see busy 1.

in harness with

in cooperation with, associated with, joined to; see together 2.

harness Synonyms

harness

v.

fetter, saddle, yoke, equip, outfit, bridle, hold in, leash, hitch up, control, limit, govern, fit out for work, cinch, tame, strap, domesticate, accouter, tackle, gear, collar, put in harness, rig up, rig out, furnish, enchain, tie, secure, rein in, curb, check, constrain, fit for electric power; see also bind 1, fasten 1, muzzle 1, 2, provide 1, restrain 1.

harness Usage Examples

Object

  • synergy: Also, as we played the sun went down, so the mood of our set had a synergy harnessed by nature Herself!
  • power: The Company's aim is to harness the power of ' the market ' to tackle real issues of social concern.
  • energy: Possibly not the most obvious time to consider harnessing energy from the sun!
  • creativity: The emphasis must be on participation and a ' bottom-up ' approach, which harnesses the creativity and solidarity of rural communities.
  • enthusiasm: Finally, it will look at harnessing the enthusiasm of children to whom stories are shared.
  • expertise: DfID wants to harness the expertise of UK professionals to address the challenge of global poverty.

Converse of object

  • climb: The quality of our climbing harnesses speaks for itself, we have not cut corners in materials, or manufacturing details.

Adjective modifier

  • 5-point: Each seat has a 5-point harness complete with padding.
  • five-point: Like the infant only car baby seat, this also comes with a five-point harness.
  • adjustable: The seat and back are very well padded and there is a fully adjustable harness for your child's comfort and safety.
  • ergonomic: It uses the Biofit back system with an ergonomic comfort shoulder harness and hip belt.
  • integral: The child is restrained by the seat's integral harness.

Modifies a noun

  • buckle: The harness buckle should be as low as possible to keep the lap section positioned safely across the child's pelvis.
  • hood: Simply place the harness hood over the back of any chair.. .
  • strap: We've added a strong hook and loop strap to allow for easy mounting on a backpack or harness strap.

Noun used with modifier

  • wiring: To emphasis the bike's stylish and simple lines, the wiring harness runs inside the handlebars.
  • backpack: The heavy-duty, padded camera compartment inside is fully customizable while the outer shell comes complete with a technical backpack harness.
  • shoulder: Slip over the shoulder harness straps for extra comfort.
  • safety: Child safety harnesses are compulsory for 3 to 5 year olds.
  • leather: The " Carriage " volume even goes into detail of leather harness 's & which part of what hide each strap is cut from!
harness Quotes

Work was like cats were supposed to be: if you disliked and feared it and tried to keep out if its way, it knew at once and sought you out and jumped on your lap and climbed all over you to show how much it loved you. Please God, he thought, don't let me die in harness.

—Amis, Sir Kingsley

A certain man drewa bowat a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness.

—Bible (Old Testament)