automatic

[aw-tuh-mat-ik]

adjective

1. having the capability of starting, operating, moving, etc., independently.

   an automatic sprinkler system; an automatic car wash.

2. Physiology.,  occurring independently of volition, as certain muscular actions; involuntary.

3. done unconsciously or from force of habit; mechanical.

   an automatic application of the brakes.

4. occurring spontaneously.

   automatic enthusiasm.

5. (of a firearm, pistol, etc.) utilizing the recoil or part of the force of the explosive to eject the spent cartridge shell, introduce a new cartridge, cock the arm, and fire it repeatedly.

noun

1. a machine that operates automatically.

2. automatic rifle.

3. automatic pistol.

4. Football.,  audible.

5. automatic pilot.

6. automatic transmission.

7. an automobile equipped with automatic transmission.

automatic

/ ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk, ˌɔːtəʊməˈtɪsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. performed from force of habit or without conscious thought; lacking spontaneity; mechanical

   an automatic smile

2. 1. (of a device, mechanism, etc) able to activate, move, or regulate itself

   2. (of an act or process) performed by such automatic equipment

3. (of the action of a muscle, gland, etc) involuntary or reflex

4. occurring as a necessary consequence

   promotion is automatic after a year

5. 1. utilizing some of the force of or gas from each explosion to eject the empty shell case, replace it with a new one, and fire continuously until release of the trigger Compare semiautomatic

   2. short for semiautomatic See also machine

noun

1. an automatic firearm

2. a motor vehicle having automatic transmission

3. a machine that operates automatically

Other Word Forms

• automatically adverb
• automaticity noun
• nonautomatic adjective
• nonautomatically adverb
• quasi-automatic adjective
• quasi-automatically adverb
• subautomatic adjective
• subautomatically adverb
• unautomatic adjective
• unautomatically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of automatic¹

First recorded in 1740–50; from Greek autómat(os) “self-moving” ( automaton ) + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of automatic¹

C18: from Greek automatos acting independently

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on automatic, being operated or controlled by or as if by an automatic device.

Synonym Study

Automatic, involuntary, spontaneous all mean not under the control of the will. That which is automatic, however, is an invariable reaction to a fixed type of stimulus: The patella reflex is automatic. That which is involuntary is an unexpected response that varies according to the occasion, circumstances, mood, etc.: an involuntary cry of pain. That which is spontaneous arises from immediate stimuli and usually involves an expression of strong feeling: a spontaneous roar of laughter.

Example Sentences

Under Australian law, appeals are not an automatic right, and Patterson's legal team had to convince the Court of Appeal that there might have been legal errors in her trial.

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A policeman with an automatic weapon strapped to his chest, part of a convoy accompanying an aid truck on its way to Westmoreland, hopped out of his vehicle to help direct traffic.

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She was not an automatic choice for this edition and was even dropped from the league game against England after a string of modest scores.

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The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.

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Virgin Media O2 is set to become the first mobile network operator to offer UK customers automatic connectivity via satellite in places without phone signal.

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Related Words

• automated www.thesaurus.com
• electric 
• electronic 
• mechanical