portative organ

British  

noun

1. music a small portable organ with arm-operated bellows popular in medieval times

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Example Sentences

The largest musical instrument depicted in the Gubbio paneling is a portative organ, just to the right of the door, and the different lengths of the organ’s pipes are clear reminders of the link between the measured proportions and the musical harmonies that the instrument produces when played.

From Scientific American

Kahane conducted from an inaudible harpsichord and, in the middle section, a barely audible portative organ.

From Los Angeles Times

Kent Tritle, who conducts three “Messiah” performances with two different choruses at Carnegie Hall next week, was a comforting presence at the portative organ; Philip Smith handled trumpet solos with blazing assurance.

From New York Times

Mr. Koopman was his usual animated self, conducting from a portative organ and adding fillips to cadences: sometimes illuminating, sometimes weirdly perky.

From New York Times

The orchestra, directed by James Richman, who played the portative organ, was generally excellent.

From New York Times