1. [n]  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
2. [n]  a support consisting of an arrangement of straps for holding something to the body (especially one supporting a person suspended from a parachute)
3. [v]  keep in check; "rule one's temper"
4. [v]  exploit the power of; "harness natural forces and resources"
5. [v]  put a harness on; of animals such as horses
6. [v]  control and direct with or as if by reins; as of a horse

1. \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.
   
   

2. \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.
   
   

(1.) Heb. 'asar, "to bind;" hence the act of fastening animals to a cart (1 Sam. 6:7, 10; Jer. 46:4, etc.).

(2.) An Old English word for "armour;" Heb. neshek (2 Chr. 9:24).

(3.) Heb. shiryan, a coat of mail (1 Kings 22:34; 2 Chr. 18:33; rendered "breastplate" in Isa. 59:17).

(4.) The children of Israel passed out of Egypt "harnessed" (Ex. 13:18), i.e., in an orderly manner, and as if to meet a foe. The word so rendered is probably a derivative from Hebrew _hamesh_ (i.e., "five"), and may denote that they went up in five divisions, viz., the van, centre, two wings, and rear-guard.