From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [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.
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At least we'll die with harness on our back. --Shak.
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2. The equipment of a draught or carriage horse, for drawing
a wagon, coach, chaise, etc.; gear; tackling.
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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.
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{To die in harness}, to die with armor on; hence,
colloquially, to die while actively engaged in work or
duty.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [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.
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Harnessed in rugged steel. --Rowe.
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A gay dagger,
Harnessed well and sharp as point of spear.
--Chaucer.
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2. Fig.: To equip or furnish for defense. --Dr. H. More.
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3. To make ready for draught; to equip with harness, as a
horse. Also used figuratively.
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Harnessed to some regular profession. --J. C.
Shairp.
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{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.
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From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
harness
n 1: a support consisting of an arrangement of straps for
holding something to the body (especially one supporting a
person suspended from a parachute)
2: 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
v 1: put a harness; "harness the horse" [syn: {harness},
{tackle}] [ant: {unharness}]
2: exploit the power of; "harness natural forces and resources"
3: control and direct with or as if by reins; "rein a horse"
[syn: {harness}, {rein in}, {draw rein}, {rein}]
4: keep in check; "rule one's temper" [syn: {rule}, {harness},
{rein}]
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