Collins English-English Dictionary

harness ['hɒːnɪs]

1. 1. n an arrangement of leather straps buckled or looped together, fitted to a draught animal in order that the animal can be attached to and pull a cart

2. 2. n something resembling this, esp for attaching something to the body

   a parachute harness

3. 3. n [mountaineering] an arrangement of webbing straps that enables a climber to attach himself to the rope so that the impact of a fall is minimized

4. 4. n the total system of electrical leads for a vehicle or aircraft

5. 5. n [weaving] the part of a loom that raises and lowers the warp threads, creating the shed

6. 6. n [Archaic] armour collectively

7. 7. vt. [tr] to put harness on (a horse)

8. 8. vt. [usually foll by to] to attach (a draught animal) by means of harness to (a cart, etc)

9. 9. vt. to control so as to employ the energy or potential power of

   to harness the atom

10. 10. vt. to equip or clothe with armour

11. 11. vt. [Etymology] C13: from Old French harneis baggage, probably from Old Norse hernest (unattested) provisions, from herr army + nest provisions