harness

Meanings

Noun

• A restraint or support, especially one consisting of a loop or network of rope or straps.
• A collection of wires or cables bundled and routed according to their function.
• 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

• To place a harness on something; to tie up or restrain.
• To capture, control or put to use.
• To equip with armour.

Origin

• From Middle English harneys, harnes, harneis, harnais, herneis, from Anglo-Norman harneis and Old French hernois, believed to be from Old Norse *hernest, from Old Norse herr + nest. More at harry.