HARNESS
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
• HARNESS (noun)
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)
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)
trace (either of two lines that connect a horse's harness to a wagon or other vehicle or to a whiffletree)
martingale (a harness strap that connects the nose piece to the girth; prevents the horse from throwing back its head)
headgear (stable gear consisting of any part of a harness that fits about the horse's head)
hackamore; halter (rope or canvas headgear for a horse, with a rope for leading)
cinch; girth (stable gear consisting of a band around a horse's belly that holds the saddle in place)
• HARNESS (verb)
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)
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
Meaning:
Control and direct with or as if by reins
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Synonyms:
draw rein; rein; rein in; harness
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
Meaning:
Keep in check
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
harness; rein; rule
Context example:
rule one's temper
Hypernyms (to "harness" is one way to...):
bound; confine; limit; restrain; restrict; throttle; trammel (place limits on (extent or access))
Sentence frame:
Something ----s something
