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

Well, my pater had an orchestrion put in the drawing-room.

From Three Men and a Maid by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)

Raymond finally said to me, one evening, in the shadow of the orchestrion.

From On the Stairs by Fuller, Henry Blake

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

From On the Stairs by Fuller, Henry Blake