automaton
[ aw-tom-uh-ton, -tn ]
/ ɔˈtɒm əˌtɒn, -tn /
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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.
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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
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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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
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