Organ
/ˈɔːr.ɡən/noun
A musical instrument with pipes and keyboards, or a body part that performs a specific function.
Did you know?The word ultimately traces back to Greek organon, meaning a tool or instrument, the same ancient root behind words like energy and work in the sense of active operation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*werg-
“To do, work, accomplish”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὄργανον (órganon)
“A tool, implement, or instrument”
Late Latin
Latin
organum
“A musical instrument, especially a pipe instrument”
Old French
Old French
organe
“An instrument or bodily organ”
Middle English
English
organ
“An instrument or a bodily part with a specific function”
Modern English
English
organ
“A musical instrument or a body part specialized for a function”
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