harness

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable) A restraint or support, especially one consisting of a loop or network of rope or straps, and especially one worn by a working animal such as a horse pulling a carriage or farm implement.
2. (countable) A collection of wires or cables bundled and routed according to their function: a wiring harness.
3. (dated, uncountable) The complete dress, especially in a military sense, of a man or a horse; armour in general.
4. (countable, uncountable) 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.
5. (countable, uncountable) Equipment for any kind of labour.

Verb

1. (transitive) To place a harness on something; to tie up or restrain.
2. (transitive) To capture, control or put to use.
3. (transitive) To equip with armour.

Synonyms

yoke

tackle

rein

gear

⚙️

hitch up

utilize

collar

rein in

breastplate

attach

armor

draw rein

tack

equipment

armour

tie

rule

saddle

use

hitch

halter

exercise

exploitation

fitting

fittings

garment

harnessing

leash

make use of

mobilise

mobilize

moderate

obtund

pull

restrain

rope

🪢

sheathing

sheeting

shield

🛡️

sling

span

squelch

stay

stifle

strap

tableware

tame

team

tie up

trappings

Translations

harnais

arnés

atteler

Geschirr

Pferdegeschirr

finimenti

imbracatura

bardatura

arreos

span

bardare

vorspannen

harnachement

gareel

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈhɑː.nəs/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: harneys

In summary

From Middle English harneys, harnes, harneis, harnais, herneis, from Anglo-Norman harneis and Old French hernois (“equipment used in battle”), believed to be from Old Norse *hernest, from herr (“army”) + nest (“provisions”) (from Proto-Germanic *nesaną (“to heal, recover”)). More at harry.