Definition of Hand organ

1. Noun. A musical instrument that makes music by rotation of a cylinder studded with pegs.

Exact synonyms: Barrel Organ, Grind Organ, Hurdy Gurdy, Hurdy-gurdy, Street Organ
Generic synonyms: Instrument, Musical Instrument
Category relationships: Music

Lexicographical Neighbors of Hand Organ

hand injuries
hand it to somebody
hand jive
hand jobs
hand line
hand log
hand lotion
hand luggage
hand made
hand mirror
hand mower
hand net
hand off
hand on a plate
hand organ (current term)
hand out
hand over
hand over fist
hand pay
hand pie
hand pile
hand plant
hand press
hand presses
hand pump
hand puppet
hand puppets
hand ratio
hand round

Literary usage of Hand organ

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable: Giving the Derivation, Source, Or Origin of by Ebenezer Cobham Brewer (1898)
"... a grinder is to insult another by applying the left thumb to the note and revolving the right hand round it, as if working a hand-organ or coffee- mill. ..."

2. Folio (1884)
"1 believe I am the only hand-organ manufacturer in this country," said the builder, as he lit his little black pipe and blew a cloud of smoke from his lips; ..."

3. The Nursery by Fanny P Seaverns, John L. Shorey (Firm (1874)
"THE HAND-ORGAN MAN. JOSIE is a little boy three years old, who lives in Boston. He has seen the hand-organ men go round the streets, and stop at the doors ..."

4. The Musical World (1870)
"1 looked around me in a fine frenzy, and only then discovered with recognition the strains of the hand-organ whose piercing tones ..."

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