bots

American  

[bots] / bɒts /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. a disease affecting various mammals, especially horses, caused by the attachment of the parasitic larvae of botflies to the stomach of the host.

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bots British  

/ bɒts /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) a digestive disease of horses and some other animals caused by the presence of botfly larvae in the stomach

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Etymology

Origin of bots

First recorded in 1780–90; plural of bot ²; -s ³

Example Sentences

New authentication systems will be needed to stop fraudsters from sending fake invoices to bots, for example.

From Barron's

There’s no more second-guessing whether the bots are here to stay.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some super users are constantly turning to bots for help with their professional and personal lives, prompting loved ones to ask if they are taking things a bit too far.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Super Bowl Sunday ads launched a debate about what a future would look like in which the bots many people talk to all day start pitching products.

From Los Angeles Times

My story this week explained the phenomenon, which grew even more viral after bots in the army Steinberger unleashed began posting strange and fantastical musings on a social network called “Moltbook.”

From The Wall Street Journal