| 释义 |
barrel-organ|ˈbærəlˌɔːgən|
[f. barrel n. 6 c.]
A musical instrument of the organ type, the keys of which are mechanically acted on by a revolving barrel or cylinder studded with metal pins. Also extended to similar instruments not of the organ type but producing the notes by means of metal tongues which are struck by pins fixed in the barrel. The tone resembles that of a piano; hence they are distinguished as ‘piano organs’. (Occas. attrib.) Hence barrel-organ v. intr., to play a barrel-organ; barrel-organist, one who plays such an instrument.
1772A. Walker Specification of Patent No. 1020 The Celestina..is also made to be played by a pricked barrel, as the hand or barrel organ. 1796Month. Rev. XX. 400 A barrel-organ..would do the business much more to his satisfaction than the fingers of a man of genius. 1842Dickens Amer. Notes I. vi. 209, I remember [seeing in New York]..one barrel-organ and a dancing-monkey. 1866Howells Venet. Life ii. 28 Habitually came a barrel-organist and ground before the barracks. 1870Lowell Among my Bks. ii. (1873) 326 The barrel-organ style which had been reigning. 1871Le Fanu Checkmate II. xiii. 128 The guitarring, singing, barrel-organing,..all make a curious and merry Babel. 1928Times 27 Dec. 15/7 Those who have barrel-organed in a hard December. 1938Oxf. Compan. Mus. 554/1 The application of the colloquial term ‘Barrel Organ’ to this instrument [the street piano] is evidently due to mere association of ideas at the time it became popular. |