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
British Dictionary definitions for automatous
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