or|gan

or|gan «AWR guhn», noun.

1. a) a musical instrument made of pipes of different lengths, which are sounded by compressed air blown by a bellows, and played by keys arranged in one or more keyboards, pipe organ. Organs are used especially in church, and the modern organ is the most comprehensive of all musical instruments. b) any one of certain smaller instruments somewhat like the pipe organ but sounded by electronic devices.

2. any one of various other musical instruments: a) a street organ or hand organ. b) a parlor organ or reed organ. c) a mouth organ or harmonica. d) (in the Bible) any wind instrument.

3. any part of an animal or plant that is composed of various tissues organized to do certain things in life. The eyes, stomach, heart, and lungs are organs of the body. Stamens, pistils, and roots are organs of plants. »

In most complex organisms, some organs become specialized to perform only a portion of a process (Harbaugh and Goodrich).

4. Figurative. a means of action; instrument: »

A court is an organ of government.

SYNONYM(S): agency.

5. Figurative. a means of giving information or expressing opinions; newspaper, magazine, or the like, that speaks for and gives the views of a political party or some other organization.

╂[< Latin organum < Greek órganon instrument, body organ, related to érgon work. Compare etym. under erg. (Cf. ↑erg)]