organ 
pipe-organ the action of which is manipulated with the 
help of electricity. Enharmonic, euharmonic organ. 
See the adjectives. Expressive organ, either a harmo- 
nium (see reed-organ), or the same as swell-oryan. Full 
organ, in organ-plaijituj, the entire power of the instru- 
ment Grand organ. Same as full organ or great or- 
gan. - Great organ, the principal partial organ of a pipe- 
organ, its keyboard, wind-chest, and pipes heing central 
with reference to the others. Hand organ. See hand- 
organ. Hydraulic organ, a pipe-organ the supply of 
compressed air for which is gathered by means of some 
hydraulic device. The term is especially applied to the 
organs of the ancient Romans, of the construction of which 
little is known : in this sense sometimes loosely used as 
opposed to pneumatic organ. Intertentacular organ 
of Farre, intromittent organ. See the adjectives. 
Jacobsou's organ, a cul-de-sac or diverticular canal in 
the lower part of the nasal cavity of most vertebrates, shut 
off from the nasal fossa, but communicating with the buc- 
cal cavity by the ducts of Stenson. Its walls are variously 
branched, bearing branches of the olfactory nerve. Ley- 
digian organs. See Leydigian. Metamorphosis of 
organs. See metamorphosis. Mouthorgan. SeemoMtA- 
argan, Organ coral. See coral. Organ music, music 
written fortne organ or performed on the organ. Organ 
Of Bojanus, the renal organ or nephridium of mollusks. 
Huxley, Anat. Invert., p. 478. See cuts under Lamelli- 
branchiata. Organ Of Cortl, an epithelial structure on 
the floor of the cochlear canal of mammals, which appears to 
be the means by which sound-vibrations produce nervous 
impulses in the cochlear nerve. It consists of a peculiar 
modification of the lining epithelium of the basilar mem- 
brane within the membranous cochlea, the chief structural 
elements of which are the rods of Corti and the hair-cells. 
The rods of Corti are long, narrow, rigid columnar cells, 
rising from a conical base and arranged in an inner and 
an outer row ; they incline toward each other and interlock 
by their heads, forming thus the arch of Corti. Adjoining 
the inner acoustic rods there is a single row, and exter- 
nally to the outer rods four to six (in man) rows of acous- 
tic hair-cells; these are long columns, inclined with the 
rods, attached to the basilar membrane, and terminating 
in a rounded extremity furnished with a curved row of 
short, stiff, terminal, hair-like filaments. The outer hair- 
cells are covered by the reticular membrane. The whole 
organ, finally, is covered by thetectorial membrane. Or- 
gan Of Giraldes, a functionless remnant or vestige of the 
Wolflian body of the male, connected with the vas aber- 
rans and consisting of a number of convoluted tubules 
embedded in cellular tissue close to the head of the epi- 
didymis; the parepididyniis. Organ of Kosemnuller, 
a functionless remnant or vestige of the Wolfflan body of 
the female; the parovarium. Organ school, either a 
school where the art ol organ-playing is taught, or an in- 
struction-book for organ-players. Organs of the lat- 
eral line, in ichth. See mucous canals, under mucous. 
Organ tablature, tablature intended for the record- 
ing of organ music. See tablature. Organ tone, a qual- 
ity of musical tone which is characteristic of the pipe-or- 
gan ; such a tone as is given by the stop in a pipe-organ 
called the open diapason. Palpal organs. Seepoipai. 
Parlor-organ. See reed-organ. Partial organ, one "f 
the distinct groups of stops into which a pipe-organ is di- 
vided, having its own wind-chest and its own keyboard. 
See def. 6. Pedal organ. See def. 6 and pedal. Pipe- 
organ, an organ with pipes ; a church organ : opposed to 
reed '.-organ. See def. 6. Pneumatic organ, an organ the 
action of which is manipulated by means of pneumatic 
contrivances. See hydraulic organ, above. Portative 
Organ, an organ that can be carried about from place to 
place : first used to describe small pipe-organs, but now 
applied mostly to reed-organs. Positive organ, (a) A 
pipe-organ that is fixed or stationary : opposed toportatitx 
organ. (i>) Same as choir-organ. Reed organ. See reed- 
organ. Sars's organ, a little ciliated patch on the arm 
of the lophophore of some polyzoans. Solo-organ, one 
of the partial organs of a large pipe-organ. Swell-or- 
gan, one of the partial organs of a pipe-organ. 
organ 1 (6r'gan), v. t. [Cf. AS. organian, org- 
man, sing to the accompaniment of a musical 
instrument; < organ 1 , re.] To furnish with or- 
gans; organize. Bp. Manningham. [Rave.] 
organ 2 t (or'gan), n. [A contracted form of ori- 
gan. Cf. organy.~] Same as origan. 
A good wife once a bed of organs set ; 
The pigs came in, and eat up every whit; 
The good man said, Wife, you your garden may 
Hog's- Norton call ; here pigs on organs play. 
Wittf Recreations, p. 85. (Nares.) 
Organ-albumin (6r'gan-al-bu"min), . The al- 
bumin which constitutes a part of the solid 
tissues. 
organ-bench (or'gan-bench), . The wooden 
bench or seat on which an organ-player sits. 
organ-blower (6r'gan-bld"er),?!. Onewhoblows 
the bellows of an organ ; also, a motor or en- 
gine for blowing an organ. 
organ-builder (6r'gan-bil"der), n. One whose 
occupation is the construction of pipe-organs. 
organdie, organdy (6r'gan-di), n. [< F. organ- 
di, book-muslin.] A muslin of great fineness 
and translueency, used for women's dresses. 
It is sold both plain and figured with printed 
flowers, etc. 
organert (or'gan-er), n. [ME., < organ* + _ er i.] 
An organist. 
organ-fish (or'gan-fish), n. A drumfish of the 
genus Pogonias" 
organ-grinder (6r'gan-grin*der), n. A stroll- 
ing musician who "grinds" out music from a 
barrel-organ. 
organ-gun (or'gan-gun), n. A firearm in which a 
number of chambers, each containing a charge, 
are set side by side, like the pipes of an organ. 
4150 
In one variety the chambers are moved sidewise by a ratch- 
et and come severally opposite a barrel, through which 
the charge is flred. It is the French argue a serpentin, the 
German Todten-orgel (death-organ). 
organ-harmonium (6r'gan-har-m6"ni-um), n. 
A harmonium or reed-organ of great compass 
and power, designed to be used as a substitute 
for an organ. 
organic (6r-gan'ik), a. and n. [= F. organiquc 
= Sp. orgdnico = Pg. It. organieo (cf. D. G. or- 
i/aiiisch = Dan. Sw. organisk), < L. organicus, < 
Or. bpyaviKAs, of or pertaining to organs, serv- 
ing as organs, < opyavov, an organ : see organ!.'] 
1. a. 1. Acting as an instrument, of nature or 
art, to a certain end; serving as an organ or 
means; instrumental. 
He [Satan], glad 
Of her attention gain'd, with serpent-tongue 
Organic, or impulse of vocal air, 
His fraudulent temptation thus began. 
Milton, P. L., ix. 530. 
The animal system is not organic merely to feeling of 
the kind just spoken of as receptive, to impressions, ac- 
cording to the natural meaning of that term, conveyed by 
the nerves of the several senses. It is organic also to 
wants and to impulses for the satisfaction of those wants. 
T. II. Green, Prolegomena to Ethics, 85. 
2. Pertaining to or characteristic of an organ 
or the organs of animals and plants. 
In the knowledge of organic functions, how full soever 
it may be, we shall not find the adequate explanation of 
social phenomena. Mauddey, Body and Will, p. 189. 
When the mind is cheered by happy thoughts, the or- 
ganic processes are promoted. 
J. Sully, Outlines of Psychol., p. 472. 
3. Pertaining to objects that have organs; 
hence, pertaining to the animal and vegetable 
worlds; resulting from, or exhibiting character- 
istics peculiar to, animal or vegetable life and 
structure ; organized. See inorganic. 
The term organic, as applied to any substance, in no 
way relates to the presence or absence of life. The ma- 
terials which compose the living body are of course or- 
ganic in the main, but they are equally so after death has 
occurred at any rate for a certain time and some of 
them continue to be so for an indefinite period after life has 
departed. Sugar, for example, is an organic product ; but 
in itself it is of course dead, and it retains its stability 
after the organism which produced it has lost all vitality. 
H. A. Ificholsnn. 
4. In chem., formerly used in the same sense 
as 3 (see also quotation under 3), but at pres- 
ent denoting any compound substance or rad- 
ical containing carbon. See chemistry and in- 
organic. 5. Forming a whole with a system- 
atic arrangement or coordination of parts ; or- 
ganized; also, systematized; systematic. 
No organic law can ever be framed with a provision spe- 
cifically applicable to every question which may occur in 
practical administration. Lincoln, in Raymond, p. 117. 
Christianity stands in organic connection with the Old 
Testament religion, both being parts of a gradually devel- 
oping system. <?. P. Fisher, Begin, of Christianity, p. 5. 
Every drama represents in organic sequence the five 
stages of which a complete action consists and which are 
essential to it A. W. Ward, Eng. Dram. Lit., Int., p. xi. 
Intelligence is not only organic, but it stands at the apex 
of organization. 
J.Watsan, Schelling's Transcendental Idealism, p. 139. 
6. In philol., depending on or determined by 
structure; not secondary or fortuitous. 7. 
Organizing; constituting; formative; consti- 
tutive. 
A simple and truthful consideration of his official duty 
under the organic Act by which the Territory was organ- 
ized. O. T. Curtis, Buchanan, II. 202. 
8f. In music, noting a composition in harmony 
or intended for instruments Organic acid, acid 
of which carbon is a constituent part, as citric or tar- 
taric acid. Carbonic acid and its derivative acids are 
sometimes classed with the inorganic and sometimes 
with the organic acids. Organic activity, an activity 
dependent on a special instrument or organ. Organic 
analysis, in chem. , the analysis of organic substances ; 
the determination of the proximate principles or of the 
amounts of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and other ele- 
ments which may exist in them. Organic base, in chem., 
a nitrogenous organic compound having alkaline proper- 
ties, and therefore capable of forming salts. These bases 
are obtained chiefly from vegetables. Also called alkaloid. 
Organic body, a body composed of dissimilar parts 
Organic chemistry. See chemistry. Organic descrip- 
tion of curves. See curve. Organic disease, a disease 
in which there is appreciable anatomical alteration in the 
structures involved : opposed to functional disease, in 
which any alterations produced are too fine to be visible. 
Organic geometry. See geometry. Organic law, in 
politics, a system of laws forming part of the fundamental 
constitution of a state ; specifically, a written constitu- 
tion. Organic molecules. See molecule. Organic 
musict, an old name for instrumental music. Organic 
product, that in which everything is interchangeably 
means and end. Organic radical, in chem., a group of 
elements containing carbon, which takes part in chemical 
reactions like an element, not being readily decomposed 
by them. Organic remains, fossil remains of a plant or 
an animal. Organic theory, an explanation bymeans of 
a hypothesis of development, especially peaceful develop- 
ment, from an inward determination to a determinate end. 
organist 
Il.t n- The science of the instruments of 
thought, such as induction, syllogism, and the 
like. 
A system of logical precepts consists of two parts, the- 
matic and organick. . . . The other [the second] converses 
about the organs themselves with which the understand- 
ing entreats of themes, and according to its capacity at- 
tains to the knowledge of them. 
Burgersdicius, tr. by a Gentleman. 
organical (6r-gan'i-kal), a. [< organic + -al.~\ 
Same as organic. 
organically (6r-gan'i-kal-i),'af7. In an organic 
manner; by or with organs; with reference to 
organic structure or disposition of parts ; by or 
through organization. 
organicalness (6r-gan'i-kal-nes), n. The state 
of being organic. 
organicism (6r-gan'i-sizm), n. [< organic + 
-ism.'] In pathol., the doctrine of the localiza- 
tion of disease ; the theory which refers all dis- 
ease to material lesions of organs. 
organiet, n. See organyi, on/any 2 . 
organific (6r-ga-nif'ik), a. [< L. organum, or- 
gan, -I- -ficns, making: see -fie.'} Forming or- 
gans or an organized structure ; constituting 
an organism ; f ormative ; acting through or re- 
sulting from organs. Coleridge. 
organifier (6r-gan'i-fi-er), n. [< organify + 
-erl.] In collodion dry-plate photographic pro- 
cesses, a weak solution, generally five to ten 
grains to the ounce of water, of organic matter, 
such as gelatin, albumen, coffee, gum arabic, 
ormorphia,usedto organify the sensitized plate. 
See organify. 
Some again employ an organifier of tannin. 
Silver Sunbeam, p. 576. 
organify (6r-gan'i-fi), v. t. ; pret. and pp. or- 
ganified, ppr. organifying. [< L. organum, or- 
gan, + -Jicarc, make: see -fy.~] In photog., to 
add organic matter to; impregnate with or- 
ganic matter: said of a dry plate prepared ac- 
cording to one of the old collodion processes. 
The plate, after sen sitization in the silver-bath, was washed 
to remove the free silver, and then flowed with the or- 
ganifler or preservative, the object of which was at once to 
hold open the pores of the collodion, to improve the keep- 
ing qualities of the plate, and to increase its sensitiveness. 
See organiser, 
The plate is not to be exposed immediately after it is 
organised. Workshop Receipts, 1st ser., p. 264. 
organisability, organisation, etc. See organ- 
izauiliti/, etc. 
organisata (6r"gan-i-sa'ta), n. pi. [NL., neut. 
pi. of organisatits, organizatus, organized: see 
organizate.] Those things which are organized, 
as animals and plants ; any or all organisms. 
De Jussieti. 
organism (or'gau-izm), n. [= F. organismc = 
Sp. Pg. It. orgamsmo = G. organismus, < NL. or- 
ganismus; Sisorgan 1 + -ism."] 1. Organic struc- 
ture; organization. [Rare.] 
Suffrage and proper organism combined are sufficient 
to counteract the tendency of government to oppression 
and abuse of power. Calhoun, Works, I. 26. 
2. A body exhibiting organization and organic 
life; a member of the animal or vegetable 
kingdom ; an individual composed of a number 
of essential and mutually dependent parts, all 
of which partake of a common life. 
Every organism has not only an inherited and gradually 
modified structure which is one of the determinants of its 
history, it has also a history of incident, that is on tran- 
sient conditions, which may lead two similar organisms 
along divergent paths, and determine them to different 
manifestations. 
O. H. Ijewes, Probs. of Life and Mind, I. ii. 66. 
Germs of microscopic organisms exist abundantly on 
the surface of aU fruits. 
Pasteur, On Fermentation (trans.), p. 99. 
3. Anything that is organized or organic. 
The social organism is not a mere physiological organ- 
turn. Maudsley, Body and Will, p. 190. 
The universe is not a machine but an organism, with an 
indwelling principle of life. J. Fiske, Idea of God, p. 131. 
organismal (6r-ga-niz'mal), a. [< organism + 
-ill.'] Of or pertaining to or produced by liv- 
ing organisms: as, organismal fermentation. 
In 1852 Naudin argued for the formation of new species 
in nature in a similar way to that of varieties under culti- 
vation, further attaching great importance to an assumed 
"principle of finality," apparently a kind of organtemal 
fate. Jincye. Brit., XXIV. 77. 
Organist (or'gan-ist), n. [In ME. organister (or- 
gonyster) ; = F. organiste = Sp. Pg. It. orga- 
'uixiii, < ML. organists, one who plays on a musi- 
cal instrument (cf. organizare, play on a musi- 
cal instrument), < L. organum, a musical instru- 
ment, organ: see organ*.'] 1. One who plays 
on an organ, especially a pipe-organ; specif- 
ically, in modern churches, the regular official 
