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

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, adjective

Word Origin for automaton

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