bot

[ bot ]

/ bɒt /

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noun

Digital Technology. a software program that can execute commands, reply to messages, or perform routine tasks, as online searches, either automatically or with minimal human intervention (often used in combination): a social media bot retweeting certain posts;a customer service chatbot to answer product questions.

Informal. a robot.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of bot

First recorded in 1985–90; def. 2 first recorded in 1965–70; shortening of robot

Other definitions for bot (2 of 5)

bot²

or bott

[ bot ]

/ bɒt /

noun

the larva of a botfly.

Origin of bot

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; akin to Dutch bot, Frisian dialect botten (plural); further origin unknown

Other definitions for bot (3 of 5)

bot³

[ bot ]

/ bɒt /

noun Australian Slang.

a person who cadges; scrounger.

Origin of bot

First recorded in 1915–20; perhaps shortening of botfly

Other definitions for bot (4 of 5)

bot.

abbreviation

botanical.

botanist.

botany.

bottle.

Other definitions for bot (5 of 5)

B.O.T.

abbreviation

Board of Trade.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bot in a sentence

He discusses his re-election and his Republican rivals, “Swinger Grimace” and “Mormon-Bot.”
Obama’s Spilled Milk Joke: Late Night Comedians Riff (Video)|Marly Faherty|January 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
If a friend sends you a suspicious chat, ask them a question a bot would not be able to answer.
Facebook Chat Gets Hijacked|Alex Leo|February 17, 2011|DAILY BEAST
In the meantime, keep an eye out for the occasional car-bot while you are stuck in traffic.
Secrets of Google's Robo-Car|Paul Saffo|October 11, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Version 2.0 of the governor affectionately known in some circles as “Mitt Rom-bot” is currently under construction.
Why Palin Mania Won't Die|Matt Latimer|October 15, 2009|DAILY BEAST

Oof you tell der deputy sheriff, und make some misdakes, den you lose your chob, und ve bot' lose a shance to ged to Tenver.
Motor Matt's Mystery|Stanley R. Matthews
And alle e oer figures ben bot betokene bot sex thousant seuyne hundryth nynty & 8.
The Earliest Arithmetics in English|Anonymous
A cifre tokens not, bot he makes e figure to betoken at comes aftur hym more an he schuld & he were away, as us 1.
The Earliest Arithmetics in English|Anonymous
This line is corrupt: Holthausens To bidden mee and beden bot gives a good sense and restores the rhyme.
Selections from Early Middle English 1130-1250: Part II: Notes|Various
In discussing these species the reader may be referred to Professor Harper's study of cytology, Bot.
The North American Slime-Moulds|Thomas H. (Thomas Huston) MacBride

British Dictionary definitions for bot (1 of 5)

bot¹

bott

/ (bɒt) /

noun

the larva of a botfly, which typically develops inside the body of a horse, sheep, or man

any similar larva

NZ informal a mild illness in humans

Word Origin for bot

C15: probably from Low German; related to Dutch bot, of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for bot (2 of 5)

bot²

/ (bɒt) Australian informal /

verb

to scrounge or borrow

(intr often foll by on) to scrounge (from); impose (on)

noun

a scrounger

on the bot wanting to scroungehe's on the bot for a cigarette

Word Origin for bot

C20: perhaps from botfly, alluding to the creature's bite; see bite (sense 12)

British Dictionary definitions for bot (3 of 5)

bot³

/ (bɒt) /

noun

computing an autonomous computer program that performs time-consuming tasks, esp on the internet

Word Origin for bot

C20: from (ro) bot

British Dictionary definitions for bot (4 of 5)

BOT

abbreviation for

Board of Trade

British Dictionary definitions for bot (5 of 5)

bot.

abbreviation for

botanical

botany

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for bot

bot

[ bŏt ]

A software program that imitates the behavior of a human, as by querying search engines or participating in chatroom discussions.