As a noun, a harness is a set of straps used to attach an animal or person to something for control or safety. As a verb, to harness means to control and use something, especially a natural force, for a purpose.
From Old French “harnois,” meaning equipment or armor, especially for a horse. Over time, it focused on the strapping gear used to control animals or attach them to loads.
When we say “harness the power of the sun,” we’re treating energy like a wild horse that needs gear to be useful. The image of strapping in nature to work for us is built right into the word.
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