[f. BARREL sb. 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. (Occas. attrib.) Barrel-organist, one who plays such an instrument.
1772. A. Walker, Specification of Patent, No. 1020. The Celestina … is also made to be played by a pricked barrel, as the hand or barrel organ.
1796. Month. Rev., XX. 400. A barrel-organ … would do the business much more to his satisfaction than the fingers of a man of genius.
1870. Lowell, Among My Books, II. (1873), 326. The barrel-organ style which had been reigning.
1866. Howells, Venet. Life, ii. 28. Habitually came a barrel-organist and ground before the barracks.
