organert (organer)

[ME., organ-fish (ôr'gan-fish), n. A drumfish of the genus Pogonias. organ-grinder (ôr'gan-grin"dėr), n. A stroll ing musician who "grinds" out music from a barrel-organ. organ-gun (ôr'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 ratchet, and come severally opposite a barrel, through which the charge is fired. It is the French orgue à serpent in , the German Todten - orgel (death-organ). organ-harmonium (ôr'gan-här-mō"ni-um), n. A harmonium or reed-organ of great compa and power, designed to be used as a substitute for an organ. organic (or-gan'ik), a . and n. [F. organ i que = Sp. orgánico = Pg. It. organico (cf. D. G. or ganisch = Dan. Sw. organisk ), organic us , όργανον , an organ: see organ1 .] I. a. 1. Acting as an instrument, of nature or art, to a certain end; serving as an organ or means; instrumental. IMG:content-1836.png:[blocks in formation] Milton , P. L., ix. 530. The animal system is not organic merely to feeling of the kind just spoken of as receptive, to impre ions, according to the natural meaning of that term, conveyed by the nerves of the several senses. It is organic also wants, and to impulses for the satisfaction of those wants. T. H. 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. Maudsley, Body and Will, p. 189. When the mind is cheered by happy thoughts, the or ganic proce es 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 characteristics 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 materials 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. Nicholson. 4. In chem., formerly used in the same sense as 3 (see also quotation under 3), but at present denoting any compound substance or radical containing carbon. See chemistry and inorganic.-5. Forming a whole with a systematic arrangement or coördination of parts; organized; also, systematized; systematic. No organic law can ever be framed with a provision specifically 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 developing system. G. 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 e ential 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. Watson, Schelling's Transcendental Idealism, p. 139. 6. In philol ., depending on or determined by structure; not secondary or fortuitous.-7. Organizing; constituting; formative; constitutive. A simple and truthful consideration of his official duty under the organic Act by which the Territory was organized. G. T. Curtis, Buchanan, II. 202. 8t. In music, noting a composition in harmony or intended for instruments. - Organic acid, acid of which carbon is a constituent part, as citric or tartaric acid. Carbonic acid and its derivative acids are sometimes cla ed 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 elements which may exist in them. - Organic base, in chem., a nitrogenous organic compound having alkaline properties, and therefore capable of forming salts. These bases are obtained chiefly from vegetables. Also called alkaloid. -Organic body, a body composed of di imilar parts. Organic chemistry. See chemistry. - Organic description of curves. See cu 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 constitution. 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, fo il remains of a plant or an animal. Organic theory, an explanation by means of a hypothesis of development, especially peaceful development, from an inward determination to a determinate end. organist II. n. The science of the instruments of thought, such as induction, syllogism, and the like. A system of logical precepts consists of two parts, thematic and organick.... The other [the second] converses about the organs themselves with which the understanding entreats of themes, and according to its capacity attains to the knowledge of them. Burgersdicius, tr. by a Gentleman.