organ-grinder

noun

or·gan-grind·er ˈȯr-gən-ˌgrīn-dər

: one that cranks a hand organ

especially : a street musician who operates a barrel organ

First Known Use

1781, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of organ-grinder was in 1781

See more words from the same year

Style

“Organ-grinder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/organ-grinder. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

organ-grinder

noun

or·gan-grind·er

ˈȯr-gən-ˌgrīn-dər

: a traveling street musician who plays a hand organ

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