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organ definition

or·gan (ôr′gən)

noun

    1. a large wind instrument consisting of various sets of pipes which, as they are opened by corresponding keys on one or more keyboards, allow passage to a column of compressed air that causes sound by vibration
    2. any of several musical instruments producing similar or somewhat similar sounds
    3. Archaic any musical instrument; esp., a wind instrument
  2. in animals and plants, a part composed of specialized tissues and adapted to the performance of a specific function or functions
  3. a means or instrument for the performance of some action an organ of local government
  4. a means of communicating ideas or opinions, as a periodical

Etymology: ME organe < OE organa & OFr organe, both < L organum, tool, implement (in LL(Ec), a church organ) < Gr organon, an implement, engine < ergon, work

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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