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 ]

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. [ 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 ]

(Naut.) A tub lashed to a vessel's deck and containing salted provisions for daily use; -- called also harness tub. W. C. Russell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who harnesses. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. [ Akin to Icel. hjarni, Dan. hierne. ] The brains. [ Scot. ] [ 1913 Webster ]