hand organ

noun

1. a portable barrel organ played by means of a crank turned by hand.

hand organ

noun

1. See barrel organ
   another name for barrel organ

Word History and Origins

Origin of hand organ¹

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800

Example Sentences

I hope her longing for home was not of the same nature as that which a hand-organ inspires, Mrs. Estill.

From Project Gutenberg

The next morning the hand-organ man fastened a chain to the collar of the monkey, and a long rope to the chain.

From Project Gutenberg

The hand-organ man never let him loose; always was there that chain and string fast to the collar on Mappo's neck.

From Project Gutenberg

For many weeks Mappo was kept by the hand-organ man, and made to gather pennies.

From Project Gutenberg

He looked out in the street, and there he saw a hand-organ man grinding away at the crank which made the nice music.

From Project Gutenberg