harness

noun

1. (countable)A 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.
2. (countable)A collection of wires or cables bundled and routed according to their function: a wiring harness.

   “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.”

3. (dated, uncountable)The complete dress, especially in a military sense, of a man or a horse; armour in general.

   “Ring the alarum-bell! Blow, wind! come, wrack! At least we'll die with harness on our back.”

   “"I'll give thee for my ransom the very best harnéss That either young or old in the world doth possess.”

   “Under the sea-girt cliffs the shining ship was readied, laden with coats of mail, swords, and gleaming war harness.”

4. (countable, uncountable)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.
5. (countable, uncountable)Equipment for any kind of labour.
6. (countable, uncountable)A software framework.

   “test harness”

7. (countable, uncountable)A software framework.

   “harness engineering”

verb

1. (transitive)To place a harness on something; to tie up or restrain.

   “They harnessed the horse to the post.”

   “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.”

2. (transitive)To capture, control or put to use.

   “Imagine what might happen if it were possible to harness solar energy fully.”

   “Most of the Himalayan rivers have been relatively untouched by dams near their sources. Now the two great Asian powers, India and China, are rushing to harness them as they cut through some of the world's deepest valleys.”

3. (transitive)To equip with armour.