Definition

1. Noun (plural):
   • The edible internal parts of a slaughtered animal, especially when used as food: This meaning refers specifically to the internal body parts of an animal, such as the heart, liver, kidneys, and intestines, that are considered fit for human consumption.
   • A complex musical instrument consisting of a set of pipes or reeds sounded by air under pressure, played using keyboards and pedals: This is the primary meaning of the singular form "organ," but the plural "organs" can refer to multiple such instruments or, more commonly, to the different sections or types of pipes within a single large instrument.
   • A part of an organism that is typically self-contained and has a specific vital function: This is the biological meaning, where "organs" refers to the distinct structures in a plant or animal body, such as the heart, lungs, or leaves, that perform specific functions.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Edible Viscera):
  • The traditional recipe calls for various organs like the liver and heart.
  • Some cultures have dishes that utilize all the organs of the animal.
• Noun (Musical Instruments):
  • The cathedral is famous for its magnificent pipe organs.
  • The concert featured organs from different historical periods.
• Noun (Biological Structures):
  • The surgeon transplanted the vital organs successfully.
  • Plants have reproductive organs such as flowers.

Advanced Usage

• "To be the organs of": To serve as the means or medium for something, often for communication or expression. This is a figurative use.
  • The newspapers acted as the organs of political dissent.
• "Vox organs": A Latin phrase meaning "the voice of the organs," sometimes used in musical contexts but more commonly known in the phrase "vox populi" (voice of the people).

Variants and Related Words

• Organ (noun, singular): The singular form for any of the definitions above (e.g., a pipe organ, a bodily organ).
• Organist (noun): A person who plays the organ.
• Organic (adjective): Relating to or derived from living matter; or denoting a relation between elements of something such that they fit together harmoniously as a whole.
• Organization (noun): An organized group of people with a particular purpose.

Synonyms

• For edible viscera: Offal, variety meats, innards.
• For biological structures: Body parts, viscera (specifically internal organs).
• For musical instruments: Pipe organ, harmonium (a specific type).

Related Phrases

• House organ: A periodical published by a commercial or nonprofit organization for its employees or members.
  • He writes for the company's house organ.
• Organ of Corti: The specialized structure in the inner ear responsible for hearing.
  • Damage to the organ of Corti can cause hearing loss.

Idioms

• "The organ grinder's monkey": A person who is controlled by or does the bidding of another. This idiom references the street performers where a monkey would collect money while the man played a barrel organ.
  • Don't talk to me; I'm just the organ grinder's monkey. You need to speak to my boss.

Noun

1. edible viscera of a butchered animal