Harness /(-nĕs)/

Har·ness

Harness

n.
  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 with harness on our back.
  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.

Phrases & Compounds
To die in harness
to die with armor on; hence, colloquially, to die while actively engaged in work or duty.

Harness

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Harnessed; p. pr. & vb. n. Harnessing

  1. To dress in armor; to equip with armor for war, as a horseman; to array.
    Harnessed in rugged steel.
    A gay dagger, Harnessed well and sharp as point of spear.
  2. Fig.: To equip or furnish for defense.
  3. To make ready for draught; to equip with harness, as a horse. Also used figuratively.
    Harnessed to some regular profession.
    — J. C. Shairp.

Phrases & Compounds
Harnessed antelope
See Guib.
Harnessed moth
an American bombycid moth (Arctia phalerata of Harris), having, on the fore wings, stripes and bands of buff on a black ground.