I. ˈȯrgən, ˈȯ(ə)g- sometimes -g ə ŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, partly from Old English organa, from Latin organum, from Greek organon, literally, tool, instrument; partly from Old French organe, from Latin organum; akin to Greek ergon work — more at work
1.
a. archaic : a musical instrument
the harp … the solemn pipe, and dulcimer, all organs of sweet stop — John Milton
especially : wind instrument
praise him with stringed instruments and organs — Ps 150: 4 (Authorized Version)
b. : any of several large musical instruments producing sustained tones and played by means of a keyboard:
(1) : a wind instrument consisting of sets of pipes sounded by compressed air, controlled by manual and pedal keyboards, and capable of producing a variety of musical timbres and orchestral effects — called also pipe organ
(2) : reed organ
(3) : an instrument in which the sound and resources of the pipe organ are approximated by means of electronic devices
c. : one of various similar cruder instruments (as the barrel organ)
d. : a division of a pipe organ consisting of a group of stops with their actions and usually an independent keyboard set on a single wind-chest — see choir organ , echo organ , great organ , solo organ , swell organ
2.
a. : a differentiated structure (as a heart, kidney, leaf, or stem) in an animal or plant made up of various cells and tissues and adapted for the performance of some specific function and grouped with other structures sharing a common function into systems — see hollow organ
b. : bodily parts performing a function or cooperating in an activity
the eyes and related structures that make up the visual organ
c. : penis
3. : an instrumentality exercising some function or accomplishing some end
the political cartoon is one of the greatest organs of propaganda — A.C.W.Harmsworth
specifically : a governmental instrumentality operating as a part of a larger organization
the cabinet's function as a general organ of government without special regard to the king's wishes — Times Literary Supplement
4. : a publication (as a newspaper or magazine) expressing the view of a single person or a special group or specifically serving a special group
a newspaper that is the official organ of the government
broadly : periodical
newspaper and magazine clippings should be accompanied by the name of the organ from which they are taken — Western Folklore
Synonyms: see mean
II. transitive verb
( organed -nd, -ŋd ; organed “ ; organing -gəniŋ ; organs -gənz, -g ə ŋz)
: to play on an organ
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: by alteration
dialect chiefly England : origan