barrel organ

noun

1. a musical instrument in which air from a bellows is admitted to a set of pipes by means of pins inserted into a revolving barrel; hand organ.

barrel organ

noun

1. an instrument consisting of a cylinder turned by a handle and having pins on it that interrupt the air flow to certain pipes, thereby playing any of a number of tunes See also hurdy-gurdy
2. a similar instrument in which the projections on a rotating barrel pluck a set of strings

Word History and Origins

Origin of barrel organ¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

At that dread moment, a ministrel from the sunny south, with barrel-organ, leapt on Dover beach!

From Project Gutenberg

Yes, and if you don't instantly pay the hire, I'll strike up a symphonia on this little barrel organ here.

From Project Gutenberg

We had Mr. Feeder, clipped to the stubble, grinding out his classic stops like a barrel-organ of erudition.

From Project Gutenberg

His business was to wale dismal, and bow his head down, the band (a barrel organ and a wiolin) playin slow and melancholly moosic.

From Project Gutenberg

The other end of the line was a small square box, which was furnished with four handles, similar to that of a barrel organ.

From Project Gutenberg