automaton

[ aw-tom-uh-ton, -tn ]
See synonyms for: automatonautomatous on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural au·tom·a·tons, au·tom·a·ta [aw-tom-uh-tuh]. /ɔˈtɒm ə tə/.
  1. a mechanical figure or contrivance constructed to act as if by its own motive power; robot.

  2. a person or animal that acts in a monotonous, routine manner, without active intelligence.

  1. something capable of acting automatically or without an external motive force.

Origin of automaton

1
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

Words Nearby automaton

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How to use automaton in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for automaton

automaton

/ (ɔːˈtɒməˌtɒn, -tən) /


nounplural -tons or -ta (-tə)
  1. a mechanical device operating under its own hidden power; robot

  2. a person who acts mechanically or leads a routine monotonous life

Origin of automaton

1
C17: from Latin, from Greek, from automatos spontaneous, self-moving

Derived forms of automaton

  • automatous, adjective

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