| English Dictionary |
HARNESS
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does harness mean?
• HARNESS (noun)
The noun HARNESS has 2 senses:
1. a support consisting of an arrangement of straps for holding something to the body (especially one supporting a person suspended from a parachute)
2. 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
Familiarity information: HARNESS used as a noun is rare.
• HARNESS (verb)
The verb HARNESS has 4 senses:
1. put a harness
2. exploit the power of
3. control and direct with or as if by reins
4. keep in check
Familiarity information: HARNESS used as a verb is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
A support consisting of an arrangement of straps for holding something to the body (especially one supporting a person suspended from a parachute)
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("harness" is a kind of...):
support (any device that bears the weight of another thing)
Holonyms ("harness" is a part of...):
chute; parachute (rescue equipment consisting of a device that fills with air and retards your fall)
Sense 2
Meaning:
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
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("harness" is a kind of...):
saddlery; stable gear; tack (gear for a horse)
Meronyms (parts of "harness"):
bridle (headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control)
cinch; girth (stable gear consisting of a band around a horse's belly that holds the saddle in place)
hackamore; halter (rope or canvas headgear for a horse, with a rope for leading)
headgear (stable gear consisting of any part of a harness that fits about the horse's head)
martingale (a harness strap that connects the nose piece to the girth; prevents the horse from throwing back its head)
trace (either of two lines that connect a horse's harness to a wagon or other vehicle or to a whiffletree)
Derivation:
harness (put a harness)
harness (control and direct with or as if by reins)
| Conjugation: |
... he / she / it harnesses Past simple: harnessed
Past participle: harnessed
-ing form: harnessing
Sense 1
Meaning:
Put a harness
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
harness; tackle
Context example:
harness the horse
Hypernyms (to "harness" is one way to...):
attach (cause to be attached)
Domain category:
animal husbandry (breeding and caring for farm animals)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "harness"):
inspan (attach a yoke or harness to)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP
Antonym:
unharness (remove the harness from)
Derivation:
harness (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)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Exploit the power of
Classified under:
Verbs of eating and drinking
Context example:
harness natural forces and resources
Hypernyms (to "harness" is one way to...):
exploit; tap (draw from; make good use of)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sense 3
Meaning:
Control and direct with or as if by reins
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Synonyms:
draw rein; harness; rein; rein in
Context example:
rein a horse
Hypernyms (to "harness" is one way to...):
command; control (exercise authoritative control or power over)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
harness (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)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Keep in check
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
Context example:
rule one's temper
Hypernyms (to "harness" is one way to...):
hold back; keep; keep back; restrain (prevent the action or expression of)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s something
Context examples
Researchers from Sandia National Laboratories have developed a tiny silicon-based device that can harness what was previously called waste heat and turn it into DC power.
(Harvesting Electrical Power from Waste Heat, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)
So Chanticleer began to build a little carriage of nutshells: and when it was finished, Partlet jumped into it and sat down, and bid Chanticleer harness himself to it and draw her home.
(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)
So after that she took no food to the imprisoned Lion; but every day she came to the gate at noon and asked, "Are you ready to be harnessed like a horse?"
(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)
Transposon activity is a native tool already present within the plant, which can be harnessed to generate new phenotypes or resistances and complement gene targeting efforts.
(Harnessing tomato jumping genes could help speed-breed drought-resistant crops, University of Cambridge)
The quest to find new ways to harness solar power has taken a step forward after researchers successfully split water into hydrogen and oxygen by altering the photosynthetic machinery in plants.
(Scientists pioneer a new way to turn sunlight into fuel, University of Cambridge)
Ultimately, these researchers hope that, by harnessing the regenerative power of stem cells, they will one day be able to heal human hearts using a patient’s own cells.
(New stem cell combination could help to repair damaged hearts, University of Cambridge)
Future strategies might harness this homeostatic mechanism to promote resilience to stress and combat depression.
(Self-tuning neurons promote resilience to stress, depression, NIH)
It’s been two years since you’ve had Mars’ help in getting ahead, so by all means, find a way to harness Mars’ energy in November.
(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)
His dogs have eaten their harness, and he has made new harness out of his blankets.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
You did not tell me that you intended to go into harness.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"Whatever joy you seek, it can be achieved by yourself; whatever misery you seek, it can be found by yourself." (Bhutanese proverb)
"The sun won't stay behind the cloud." (Armenian proverb)
"Shared grief is half grief" (Dutch proverb)