Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Harness?

\Har"ness\, 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. Gf. {Iron}.] 1. Originally, the complete dress, especially in a military sense, of a man or a horse; hence, in general, armor. At least we 'll die witch harness on our back. --Shak. 2. The equipment of a draught or carriage horse, for drawing a wagon, coach, chaise, etc.; gear; tackling. 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. {To die in harness}, to die with armor on; hence, colloquially, to die while actively engaged in work or duty.
\Har"ness\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Harnessed}; 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. Harnessed in rugged steel. --Rowe. A gay dagger, Harnessed well and sharp as point of spear. --Chaucer. 2. Fig.: To equip or furnish for defense. --Dr. H. More. 3. To make ready for draught; to equip with harness, as a horse. Also used figuratively. Harnessed to some regular profession. --J. C. Shairp. {Harnessed antelope}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Guib}. {Harnessed moth} (Zo["o]l.), an American bombycid moth ({Arctia phalerata} of Harris), having, on the fore wings, stripes and bands of buff on a black ground.