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or·ga·num¹

(ôrgə-nəm)

n. pl. or·ga·na (-nə) or or·ga·nums

Any of several types of medieval vocal polyphony, usually based on Gregorian chant.

[Medieval Latin, from Late Latin, church organ, from Latin, instrument; see ORGAN.]

or·ga·na¹

(ôrgə-nə)

A plural of organon.

or·ga·na²

(ôrgə-nə)

A plural of organum¹.

or·ga·num²

(ôrgə-nəm)

n. pl. or·ga·nums

Variant of organon.

or·ga·non

(ôrgə-nŏn′) also or·ga·num (-nəm)

n. pl. or·ga·na (-nə) or or·ga·nons or or·ga·nums

A set of principles for use in scientific or philosophical investigation.

[Greek, tool, organ of the body, instrument; see werg- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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