2 VERB When governments or organizations harmonize laws, systems, or regulations, they agree in a friendly way to make them the same or similar. □ [V n] How far will members have progressed towards harmonising their economies? ● har|mo|ni|za|tion /hɑː r məna I ze I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Air France pilots called a strike over the European harmonisation of their working hours.
3 VERB When people harmonize , they sing or play notes which are different from the main tune but which sound nice with it. □ [V ] With his brothers he harmonised on several hits.
har|mo|ny /hɑː r məni/ (harmonies )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If people are living in harmony with each other, they are living together peacefully rather than fighting or arguing. □ We must try to live in peace and harmony with ourselves and those around us.
2 N‑VAR Harmony is the pleasant combination of different notes of music played at the same time. □ …complex vocal harmonies. □ …singing in harmony.
3 N‑UNCOUNT The harmony of something is the way in which its parts are combined into a pleasant arrangement. □ …the ordered harmony of the universe.
har|ness /hɑː r n I s/ (harnesses , harnessing , harnessed )
1 VERB If you harness something such as an emotion or natural source of energy, you bring it under your control and use it. □ [V n] Turkey plans to harness the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for big hydro-electric power projects.
2 N‑COUNT A harness is a set of straps which fit under a person's arms and fasten round their body in order to keep a piece of equipment in place or to prevent the person moving from a place.
3 N‑COUNT A harness is a set of leather straps and metal links fastened round a horse's head or body so that the horse can have a carriage, cart, or plough fastened to it.
4 VERB [usu passive] If a horse or other animal is harnessed , a harness is put on it, especially so that it can pull a carriage, cart, or plough. □ [be V -ed + to ] On Sunday the horses were harnessed to a heavy wagon for a day-long ride over the Border. [Also be V -ed]
harp /hɑː r p/ (harps , harping , harped ) N‑VAR A harp is a large musical instrument consisting of a row of strings stretched from the top to the bottom of a frame. You play the harp by plucking the strings with your fingers.
▸ harp on PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone harps on a subject, or harps on about it, you mean that they keep on talking about it in a way that other people find annoying. □ [V P n] Jones harps on this theme more than on any other. □ [V P + about ] She concentrated on the good parts of her trip instead of harping on about the bad. [Also V P ]
harp|ist /hɑː r p I st/ (harpists ) N‑COUNT A harpist is someone who plays the harp.
har|poon /hɑː r puː n/ (harpoons , harpooning , harpooned )
1 N‑COUNT A harpoon is a long pointed weapon with a long rope attached to it, which is fired or thrown by people hunting whales or large sea fish.
2 VERB To harpoon a whale or large fish means to hit it with a harpoon. □ [V n] Norwegian whalers said yesterday they had harpooned a female minke whale.
harp|si|chord /hɑː r ps I kɔː r d/ (harpsichords ) N‑VAR A harpsichord is an old-fashioned musical instrument rather like a small piano. When you press the keys, the strings are pulled, rather than being hit by hammers as in a piano.
har|py /hɑː r pi/ (harpies )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] In classical mythology, the harpies were creatures with the bodies of birds and the faces of women. They flew quickly and were cruel and greedy.
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to a woman as a harpy , you mean that she is very cruel or violent. [LITERARY , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a snobby, scheming harpy who sells off the family silverware.
har|ri|dan /hæ r I dən/ (harridans ) N‑COUNT If you call a woman a harridan , you mean that she is unpleasant and speaks too forcefully. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ She was a mean old harridan.
har|row /hæ roʊ/ (harrows ) N‑COUNT A harrow is a piece of farm equipment consisting of a row of blades fixed to a heavy frame. When it is pulled over ploughed land, the blades break up large lumps of soil.
har|row|ing /hæ roʊ I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A harrowing experience is extremely upsetting or disturbing. □ You've had a harrowing time this past month.
har|ry /hæ ri/ (harries , harrying , harried ) VERB If someone harries you, they keep bothering you or trying to get something from you. □ [V n] He is increasingly active in harrying the government in late-night debates. ● har|ried ADJ □ …harried businessmen scurrying from one crowded office to another.
harsh /hɑː r ʃ/ (harsher , harshest )
1 ADJ Harsh climates or conditions are very difficult for people, animals, and plants to live in. □ The weather grew harsh, chilly and unpredictable. ● harsh|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the harshness of their living conditions.
2 ADJ Harsh actions or speech are unkind and show no understanding or sympathy. □ He said many harsh and unkind things about his opponents. ● harsh|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ She's been told that her husband is being harshly treated in prison. ● harsh|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …treating him with great harshness.
3 ADJ Something that is harsh is so hard, bright, or rough that it seems unpleasant or harmful. □ Tropical colours may look rather harsh in our dull northern light. ● harsh|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …as the wine ages, losing its bitter harshness.