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, adjectiveWords nearby automaton
Example sentences from the Web for automaton
British Dictionary definitions for automaton
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, adjectiveWord Origin for automaton
C17: from Latin, from Greek, from
automatos spontaneous, self-moving