Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HAR'NESS, n. [W. harnaes, from harn, that is, closely fitted; Fr. harnois; Arm. harnes; It. arnese; Sp. arnes; Port. arnez; D. harnas; G. harnisch; Sw. harnesk; Dan. harnisk. The primary sense is, to fit, prepare or put on; and in different languages, it signifies not only harness, but furniture and utensils.]

1. Armor; the whole accouterments or equipments of a knight or horseman; originally perhaps defensive armor, but in a more modern and enlarged sense, the furniture of a military man, defensive or offensive, as a casque, cuirass, helmet, girdle, sword, buckler, &c.
2. The furniture of a draught horse, whether for a wagon, coach, gig, chaise, &c.; called in some of the American states, tackle or tackling, with which, in its primary sense, it is synonymous. Dryden.