harness

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
harness/ˈhɑːnɪs/

▶noun

• 1 a set of straps and fittings by which a horse or other draught animal is fastened to a cart, plough, etc. and is controlled by its driver.

• 2 a similar arrangement of straps, as for fastening a parachute to a person's body or for restraining a young child.

▶verb

• 1 fit with a harness.

• 2 control and use (resources).

– phrases
in harness

• 1 in the routine of daily work: an ordinary man who died in harness.

• 2 in close partnership.

– derivatives
harnesser noun.

– origin ME: from OFr. harneis ‘military equipment’, from ON, from herr ‘army’ + nest ‘provisions’.