harness

Plural: harnesses

Noun

• a support consisting of an arrangement of straps for holding something to the body (especially one supporting a person suspended from a parachute)
• 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
• 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.
• A collection of wires or cables bundled and routed according to their function: a wiring harness.
• The complete dress, especially in a military sense, of a man or a horse; armour in general.
• 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.
• Equipment for any kind of labour.

Verb

Verb Forms: harnessed, harnessing, harnesses

• To put equipment on an animal; to control and utilize resources.
• put a harness
  • "harness the horse"
• exploit the power of
  • "harness natural forces and resources"
• control and direct with or as if by reins
• keep in check
• To place a harness on something; to tie up or restrain.
• To capture, control or put to use.
• To equip with armour.

Examples

• He managed to harness his limited tiles to create a surprisingly high-scoring word.
• Imagine what might happen if it were possible to harness solar energy fully.
• They harnessed the horse to the post.

Synonyms

draw rein, rein, rein in, rule, tackle, shaft

Antonyms

unharness

Related Words

Harness in the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition, 1911)