orchestrion

American  

[awr-kes-tree-uhn] / ɔrˈkɛs tri ən /

noun

1. a mechanical musical instrument, resembling a barrel organ but more elaborate, for producing the effect of an orchestra.

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Etymology

Origin of orchestrion

1830–40; orchestr(a) + -ion, as in accordion

Example Sentences

See, for instance, the music room, where a brass-looking, water-spewing elephant trunk fuels the instruments, including an ornate orchestrion.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 16, 2023

Beecham p�re soon added the latest gadget in mechanical music, a reed orchestrion, which made Wagner sound like a merry-go-round.

From Time Magazine Archive

It would seem from his description of the orchestrion in Data zur Akustik that Vogler knew of no such device.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 8 "Haller, Albrecht" to "Harmonium" by Various

As the dinner progressed, Claire found that she was to be relieved of her post at the piano by the continuous rumblings of the orchestrion.

From The Blood Red Dawn by Dobie, Charles Caldwell

And that huge, portentous orchestrion took up such an immensity of room!

From On the Stairs by Fuller, Henry Blake