organ

Everyday

1. A part of the body that has a special job, like the heart, lungs, brain, stomach or skin. tree →
2. A large musical instrument with pipes and keyboards, played in churches and concert halls. tree →
3. A part of a plant with a special job, like a leaf or root. tree →

In the lessons

In science, organs work together in systems: the heart pumps blood, the lungs take in oxygen, the brain controls the body, the stomach digests food, and the skin is the largest organ. In music, an organ makes sound by blowing air through pipes; electric organs are keyboards. Phrases: «vital organs», «organ donor», «church organ», «play the organ».

Examples

• The heart is an organ that pumps blood. tree →
• Your skin is your biggest organ. tree →
• The lungs and the heart are vital organs. tree →
• The ribs protect important organs in your chest. tree →
• She plays the organ in church on Sundays. tree →
• The organ's big pipes made the floor shake. tree →
• Some people sign up to be organ donors to help others. tree →
• Leaves are organs that make food for the plant. tree →
• The gate stood open, lights were burning upon the altar, and the organ sounded. tree →

Note

Countable; with «an»: «an organ». Adjective: «organic». A person who plays the organ is an «organist». Don't confuse with «organise» (to plan and arrange).

In Jewish tradition

In these texts it often means a body part, such as the mouth or tongue, linked to a letter.

Interpretation. Sefer Yetzirah links the twelve simple letters to twelve body parts, and the letters are said to be like the organs of speech, thought and action.

Examples

• The twelve simple letters ה״ו״ז ח״ט״י ל״נ״ם ע״צ״ק symbolize, as it were, the organs of speaking, thinking, (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• The twelve organs of the human body are: two hands, two feet, two kidneys, gall, small intestines, liver, gullet [39] or esophagus, stomach and milt. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• Both items refer to anatomical hiddenness: the word emerging from the tongue, hidden in the mouth, and circumcision of the genitals, the concealed lower organs revealed during circumcision. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →

Note

Countable; with «an»: «an organ». Adjective: «organic». A person who plays the organ is an «organist». Don't confuse with «organise» (to plan and arrange).