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Harness vs Yoke - What's the difference?

harness | yoke |

As nouns the difference between harness and yoke

is that harness is a restraint or support, especially one consisting of a loop or network of rope or straps while yoke is a bar or frame of wood by which two oxen are joined at the heads or necks for working together.

As verbs the difference between harness and yoke

is that harness is to place a harness on something; to tie up or restrain while yoke is to link or to join.

harness

English

Noun

(es)
  • (countable) A restraint or support, especially one consisting of a loop or network of rope or straps.
  • (countable) A collection of wires or cables bundled and routed according to their function.
  • (dated) The complete dress, especially in a military sense, of a man or a horse; armour in general.
  • * 1606 William Shakespeare, Macbeth , act V, scene V
    • Ring the alarum-bell! Blow, wind! come, wrack!
    At least we'll die with harness on our back.
  • 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.

    • Derived terms

    * harnessed antelope * harnessed moth * test harness

    Verb

    (es)
  • To place a harness on something; to tie up or restrain.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=July-August, author=(Henry Petroski)
    • , title= Geothermal Energy , volume=101, issue=4, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame. With more settled people, animals were harnessed to capstans or caged in treadmills to turn grist into meal.}}
  • To capture, control or put to use.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-08-16, author= John Vidal
    • , volume=189, issue=10, page=8, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Dams endanger ecology of Himalayas , passage=Most of the Himalayan rivers have been relatively untouched by dams near their sources. Now the two great Asian powers, India and China, are rushing to harness them as they cut through some of the world's deepest valleys.}}

    See also

    * (wikipedia "harness") *

    yoke

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A bar or frame of wood by which two oxen are joined at the heads or necks for working together.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • A yearling bullock to thy name shall smoke, / Untamed, unconscious of the galling yoke .
  • A pair (of animals, especially oxen).
  • * 1526 , William Tyndale, trans. Bible , Luke XIV:
    • And another sayd: I have bought fyve yooke of oxen, and I must goo to prove them, I praye the have me excused.
  • A frame made to fit the neck and shoulders of a person, used for carrying a pair of buckets, etc., one at each end of the frame.
  • A frame worn on the neck of an animal, such as a cow, pig, or goose, to prevent passage through a fence.
  • (figuratively) A burden; something which represses or restrains a person.
  • A frame or convex piece by which a bell is hung for ringing it.
  • The part of a shirt that stretches over the shoulders, usually made out of a doubled piece of fabric. Or, a pair of fabric panels on trousers (especially jeans) or a skirt, across the back of the garment below the waistband.
  • * 1913 ,
    • [...] this city child was dressed in what was then called the "Kate Greenaway" manner, and her red cashmere frock, gathered full from the yoke , came almost to the floor.
  • (bodybuilding) Well-developed muscles of the neck and shoulders.
  • * 2010 , Jim Wendler, "Build an NFL Neck", Men's Fitness (April), page 73.
    • Nothing says you're a dedicated lifter and true athlete more than a massive yoke —that is, the muscles of the neck, traps, and rear delts.
  • (aviation) The column-mounted of an aircraft.
  • (electronics) The electro-magnetic coil that deflects the electron beam in a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube).
  • (nautical) A fitting placed across the head of the rudder with a line attached at each end by which a boat may be steered. In modern use it is primarily found in sailing canoes and kayaks.
  • (agriculture, dated, uncommon) An alternative name for a cowpoke.
  • (glassblowing) A Y-shaped stand used to support a blowpipe or punty while reheating in the glory hole.
  • (engineering) A bent crosspiece connecting two other parts.
  • A tie securing two timbers together, not used for part of a regular truss, but serving a temporary purpose, as to provide against unusual strain.
  • (dressmaking) A band shaped to fit the shoulders or the hips, and joined to the upper full edge of the waist or the skirt.
  • The amount of land ploughed in a day by a pair of oxen.
    • (Gardner)
  • A portion of the working day.
    • to work two yokes , i.e. to work both morning and afternoon
    (Halliwell)
  • (informal, Ireland) A miscellaneous object; a gadget.

    • Synonyms

    * (aviation) control wheel

    Derived terms

    * pass under the yoke * under the yoke

    Verb

    (yok)
  • To link or to join.
  • *
    • Muriel and Benjamin yoked themselves into an old governess-cart and did their share.
  • To unite, to connect.
  • * Bible, 2 Corinthians vi. 14
    • Be ye not unequally yoked with unbelievers.
  • To enslave; to bring into bondage; to restrain; to confine.
  • * Milton
    • Then were they yoked with garrisons.
  • * Hudibras
    • The words and promises that yoke / The conqueror are quickly broke.

    Derived terms

    * yoke together