Definition of Organ
1. Noun. A fully differentiated structural and functional unit in an animal that is specialized for some particular function.
Specialized synonyms: Ovipositor,
Siphon,
Syphon,
Comb-plate,
Ctene,
Wing,
Foot,
Invertebrate Foot,
Sucker,
Stinger,
Contractile Organ,
Contractor,
Anlage,
Primordium,
Vital Organ,
Vitals,
Effector,
External Organ,
Internal Organ,
Viscus,
Receptor,
Sense Organ,
Sensory Receptor,
Clapper,
Glossa,
Lingua,
Tongue,
Organ Of Speech,
Speech Organ,
Vocal Organ,
Crystalline Lens,
Lens,
Lens Of The Eye,
Gland,
Secreter,
Secretor,
Secretory Organ,
Cell Organ,
Cell Organelle,
Organelle,
End Organ,
Reproductive Organ,
Sex Organ,
Target Organ,
Taret Organ,
Erectile OrganGeneric synonyms: Body PartTerms within: LobeDerivative terms: Organic
2. Noun. A government agency or instrument devoted to the performance of some specific function. "The Census Bureau is an organ of the Commerce Department"
3. Noun. (music) an electronic simulation of a pipe organ.
4. Noun. A periodical that is published by a special interest group. "The organ of the communist party"
5. Noun. Wind instrument whose sound is produced by means of pipes arranged in sets supplied with air from a bellows and controlled from a large complex musical keyboard.
Exact synonyms: Pipe OrganTerms within: Keyboard,
Organ Pipe,
Pipe,
Pipework,
Foot Lever,
Foot Pedal,
Pedal,
Treadle,
Clavier,
Fingerboard,
Piano Keyboard,
StopGeneric synonyms: Keyboard Instrument,
Wind,
Wind InstrumentDerivative terms: Organist 6. Noun. A free-reed instrument in which air is forced through the reeds by bellows.
Definition of Organ
1. n. An instrument or medium by which some important action is performed, or an important end accomplished; as, legislatures, courts, armies, taxgatherers, etc., are organs of government.
2. v. t. To supply with an organ or organs; to fit with organs; to organize.
Definition of Organ
1. a differentiated part of an organism performing a specific function [n -S]
Medical Definition of Organ
1.
1. An instrument or medium by which some important action is performed, or an important end accomplished; as, legislatures, courts, armies, taxgatherers, etc, are organs of government.
2. A natural part or structure in an animal or a plant, capable of performing some special action (termed its function), which is essential to the life or well-being of the whole; as, the heart, lungs, etc, are organs of animals; the root, stem, foliage, etc, are organs of plants.
In animals the organs are generally made up of several tissues, one of which usually predominates, and determines the principal function of the organ. Groups of organs constitute a system. See System.
3. A component part performing an essential office in the working of any complex machine; as, the cylinder, valves, crank, etc, are organs of the steam engine.
4. A medium of communication between one person or body and another; as, the secretary of state is the organ of communication between the government and a foreign power; a newspaper is the organ of its editor, or of a party, sect, etc.
5. [Cf. AS. Organ, fr. L. Organum.
A wind instrument containing numerous pipes of various dimensions and kinds, which are filled with wind from a bellows, and played upon by means of keys similar to those of a piano, and sometimes by foot keys or pedals; formerly used in the plural, each pipe being considired an organ. "The deep, majestic, solemn organs blow." (Pope)
Chaucer used the form orgon as a plural. "The merry orgon . . . That in the church goon [go]" Barrel organ, Choir organ, Great organ, etc. See Barrel, Choir, etc.
Cabinet organ, a passage in which the tonic or dominant is sustained continuously by one part, while the other parts move.
Origin: L. Organum, Gr.; akin to work, and E. Work: cf. F. Organe. See Work, and cf. Orgue, Orgy.
Source: Websters Dictionary
(01 Mar 1998)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Organ
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