automatic
- having the capability of starting, operating, moving, etc., independently: an automatic sprinkler system; an automatic car wash.
- Physiology. occurring independently of volition, as certain muscular actions; involuntary.
- done unconsciously or from force of habit; mechanical: an automatic application of the brakes.
- occurring spontaneously: automatic enthusiasm.
- (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.
- a machine that operates automatically.
- automatic rifle.
- automatic pistol.
- Football. audible(def 2).
- automatic pilot.
- automatic transmission.
- an automobile equipped with automatic transmission.
- on automatic, being operated or controlled by or as if by an automatic device.
Origin of automatic
Synonym study
Related Words for automatic
mechanical, electronic, electric, automated, natural, certain, inevitable, reflex, unconscious, routine, necessary, motorized, mechanized, robotic, self-moving, self-regulating, self-starting, habitual, impulsive, instinctiveExamples from the Web for automatic
Contemporary Examples of automatic
Hovering above the scene, commandos in helicopters were poised with automatic rifles.
The low crunch of packed dirt against rubber tire was overwhelmed by the ragged explosions of automatic gunfire.
Instead we heard the crackle of automatic gunfire and we could see gray smoke rising from the eastern side of the town.
He now stands in the self-proclaimed caliphate, also holding a child as well as an automatic weapon.
A little girl was given an automatic weapon to play with this week.
Historical Examples of automatic
Wheatstone was knighted in 1868, after his completion of the automatic telegraph.
Heroes of the TelegraphJ. Munro
At last, with a shake of the head, we consented to get into the automatic carriage.
FreelandTheodor Hertzka
Hilary's hand went to the butt of the automatic within his blouse.
Slaves of MercuryNat Schachner
He stopped, whirled, automatic thrusting its blue nose forward.
Slaves of MercuryNat Schachner
The automatic dropped from his hand, and he crimped up like a stuck grubworm.
The Cruise of the Dry DockT. S. Stribling
automatic
- performed from force of habit or without conscious thought; lacking spontaneity; mechanicalan automatic smile
- (of a device, mechanism, etc) able to activate, move, or regulate itself
- (of an act or process) performed by such automatic equipment
- (of the action of a muscle, gland, etc) involuntary or reflex
- occurring as a necessary consequencepromotion is automatic after a year
- (of a firearm)
- 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 triggerCompare semiautomatic (def. 2)
- short for semiautomatic (def. 2) See also machine (def. 5)
- an automatic firearm
- a motor vehicle having automatic transmission
- a machine that operates automatically
Word Origin for automatic
Word Origin and History for automatic
"self-acting, moving or acting on its own," 1812, from Greek automatos, used of the gates of Olympus and the tripods of Hephaestus (also "without apparent cause, by accident"), from autos "self" (see auto-) + matos "thinking, animated" (see automaton). Of involuntary animal or human actions, from 1748, first used in this sense by English physician and philosopher David Hartley (1705-1757). In reference to a type of firearm, from 1877; specifically of machinery that imitates human-directed action from 1940.
"automatic weapon," 1902, from automatic (adj.). Meaning "motorized vehicle with automatic transmission" is from 1949.