Harness Meaning
/ˈhɑː.nəs/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA 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.
nounA collection of wires or cables bundled and routed according to their function: a wiring harness.
Sentence Examples
He's gone to harness the sorrel mare to go to Carmody for the doctor.
You've got to learn to harness your strength.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The engineers used special equipment to ____ the energy from the sun to power the whole building.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The climber double-checked her ____ to make sure it was securely fastened before her ascent.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The cars then enter the main lines for further assembly - including the installation of internal electrical harnesses, underfloor equipment, internal panelling, roof equipment, carpets, seats and tables."
— 2024 December 27, Pip Dunn, “Network News: Hitachi pushes on with '810' assembly and testing”, in RAIL, number 1025, page 20:
"Ring the alarum-bell! Blow, wind! come, wrack!
At least we'll die with harness on our back."
— c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene v]:
""I'll give thee for my ransom the very best harnéss
That either young or old in the world doth possess."
— 1850, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, London: H.G. Bohn, page 210:
"Under the sea-girt cliffs the shining ship was readied, laden with coats of mail, swords, and gleaming war harness."
— 1961, Norma Lorre Goodrich, “Beowulf”, in The Medieval Myths, New York: The New American Library, page 23:
"Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame. With more settled people, animals were harnessed to capstans or caged in treadmills to turn grist into meal."
— 2013 July-August, Henry Petroski, “Geothermal Energy”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 4:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The engineers used special equipment to ____ the energy from the sun to power the whole building.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The climber double-checked her ____ to make sure it was securely fastened before her ascent.