orchestrion

[ awr-kes-tree-uhn ]

noun

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

Origin of orchestrion

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

Panharmonicon, pan-har-mon′i-kon, n. a mechanical musical instrument of the orchestrion class.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) | Various
This orchestrion was a superior one, with a varied programme.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky | Modeste Tchaikovsky
The pianola can never rival the living performer; nor the orchestrion the orchestra; nor the chromo the painting.
The World's Best Poetry, Volume 3 | Various
We set the orchestrion going on a Waldteufel waltz, and I grabbed one of the young ladies for a round.
The New Glutton or Epicure | Horace Fletcher
Then what would you do if a man insisted on playing the orchestrion when you wanted to get to sleep?
The Girl on the Boat | Pelham Grenville Wodehouse

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