n.
Pronunciation: ' o ̇ r-g ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, partly from Old English organa, from Latin organum, from Greek organon, literally, tool, instrument; partly from Anglo-French organe, from Latin organum; akin to Greek ergon work ― more at WORK
Date: before 12th century
1 a archaic : any of various musical instruments especially : WIND INSTRUMENT b (1) : a keyboard instrument in which sets of pipes are sounded by compressed air and produce a variety of timbres ― called also pipe organ (2) : REED ORGAN (3) : an electronic keyboard instrument that approximates the sounds and resources of the pipe organ (4) : any of various similar cruder instruments
2 a : a differentiated structure (as a heart, kidney, leaf, or stem) consisting of cells and tissues and performing some specific function in an organism b : bodily parts performing a function or cooperating in an activity <the eyes and related structures that make up the visual organ s >
3 : a subordinate group or organization that performs specialized functions <the various organ s of government>
4 : PERIODICAL