Harness \Har"ness\ (-n[e^]s), 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. Cf. Iron.]

1. Originally, the complete dress, especially in a military sense, of a man or a horse; hence, in general, armor. [1913 Webster]

At least we'll die with harness on our back. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. The equipment of a draught or carriage horse, for drawing a wagon, coach, chaise, etc.; gear; tackling. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

To die in harness, to die with armor on; hence, colloquially, to die while actively engaged in work or duty. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

Harness \Har"ness\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Harnessed (-n[e^]st); 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. [1913 Webster]

Harnessed in rugged steel. --Rowe. [1913 Webster]

A gay dagger, Harnessed well and sharp as point of spear. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

2. Fig.: To equip or furnish for defense. --Dr. H. More. [1913 Webster]

3. To make ready for draught; to equip with harness, as a horse. Also used figuratively. [1913 Webster]

Harnessed to some regular profession. --J. C. Shairp. [1913 Webster]

Harnessed antelope. (Zool.) See Guib.

Harnessed moth (Zool.), an American bombycid moth (Arctia phalerata of Harris), having, on the fore wings, stripes and bands of buff on a black ground. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

115 Moby Thesaurus words for "harness": accouterments, armature, armor, armor plate, back band, backstrap, bearing rein, bed, bed down, bellyband, bit, blinders, blinds, body armor, break, breeching, bridle, brolly, brush, buckler, bulletproof vest, caparison, cavesson, chain armor, chain mail, checkrein, cheekpiece, chinband, chute, cinch, coat of mail, collar, cortex, couple, crownband, crupper, curb, curry, currycomb, drench, drogue chute, feed, fetter, fodder, furnishings, gag swivel, gentle, getup, girth, groom, habergeon, hackamore, halter, hames, hametugs, handle, hauberk, headgear, headstall, hip straps, hitch, hitch up, hook up, jaquima, jerk line, lines, litter, livery, mail, manage, martingale, milk, needles, noseband, outfit, pack, panoply, parachute, parachute jump, plate armor, pole strap, protective covering, reins, ribbons, rig, rub down, saddle, shaft tug, shell, shield, shroud lines, side check, sky dive, snaffle, spines, suit of armor, surcingle, tack, tackle, tame, tend, tether, thick skin, things, train, trappings, trousseau, tug, turnout, umbrella, vent, wardrobe, water, winker braces, yoke

Source: Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
 

harness

Source: WordNet (r) 2.0
 

Harness \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Harness \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)