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  .org organ–  
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   The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition.  2000.
 
organ
 
SYLLABICATION:or·gan
PRONUNCIATION:  ôrgn
NOUN:1. Music a. An instrument consisting of a number of pipes that sound tones when supplied with air and a keyboard that operates a mechanism controlling the flow of air to the pipes. Also called pipe organ. b. Any one of various other instruments, such as the electronic organ, that resemble a pipe organ either in mechanism or sound. 2. Biology A differentiated part of an organism, such as an eye, wing, or leaf, that performs a specific function. 3. An instrument or agency dedicated to the performance of specified functions: The FBI is an organ of the Justice Department. 4. An instrument or a means of communication, especially a periodical issued by a political party, business firm, or other group.
ETYMOLOGY:Middle English, from Old French organe and from Old English organe, both from Latin organum, tool, instrument, from Greek organon. See werg- in Appendix I.
 
 
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

CONTENTS · INDEX · ILLUSTRATIONS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
  .org organ–  
 
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