automata

[ aw-tom-uh-tuh ]
/ ɔˈtɒm ə tə /

noun

a plural of automaton.

Definition for automata (2 of 2)

automaton
[ aw-tom-uh-ton, -tn ]
/ ɔˈtɒm əˌtɒn, -tn /

noun, plural au·tom·a·tons, au·tom·a·ta [aw-tom-uh-tuh] /ɔˈtɒm ə tə/.

a mechanical figure or contrivance constructed to act as if by its own motive power; robot.
a person or animal that acts in a monotonous, routine manner, without active intelligence.
something capable of acting automatically or without an external motive force.

Origin of automaton

1605–15; < Latin: automatic device < Greek, noun use of neuter of autómatos spontaneous, acting without human agency, equivalent to auto- auto-1 + -matos, adj. derivative from base of memonénai to intend, ménos might, force

OTHER WORDS FROM automaton

au·tom·a·tous, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for automata

British Dictionary definitions for automata (1 of 2)

automata
/ (ɔːˈtɒmətə) /

noun

a plural of automaton

British Dictionary definitions for automata (2 of 2)

automaton
/ (ɔːˈtɒməˌtɒn, -tən) /

noun plural -tons or -ta (-tə)

a mechanical device operating under its own hidden power; robot
a person who acts mechanically or leads a routine monotonous life

Derived forms of automaton

automatous, adjective

Word Origin for automaton

C17: from Latin, from Greek, from automatos spontaneous, self-moving