Main Entry: or·gan

Pronunciation: \ˈȯr-gən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, partly from Old English organa, from Latin organum, from Greek organon, literally, tool, instrument; partly from Anglo-French organe, from Latin organum; akin to Greek ergon work — more at work

Date: before 12th century

1 a archaic : any of various musical instruments; especially : wind instrument b (1) : a keyboard instrument in which sets of pipes are sounded by compressed air and produce a variety of timbres —called also pipe organ (2) : reed organ (3) : an electronic keyboard instrument that approximates the sounds and resources of the pipe organ (4) : any of various similar cruder instruments
2 a : a differentiated structure (as a heart, kidney, leaf, or stem) consisting of cells and tissues and performing some specific function in an organism b : bodily parts performing a function or cooperating in an activity <the eyes and related structures that make up the visual organs>
3 : a subordinate group or organization that performs specialized functions <the various organs of government>
4 : periodical