Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
automatic withdrawal
automatic writing
automaticity
automation
automatise
automatism
Automatiste
automatize
automaton
automobile
automobilia
automotive
autonomic
autonomic nervous system
autonomous
autonomous consumption
autonomous expenditure
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "automaton" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

automaton

au·tom·a·ton [ aw tómmətən, aw tómmə tòn ] (plural au·tom·a·tons or au·tom·a·ta [ aw tómmətə ])


noun 
Definition:
 
1. independent and complex machine: a machine that contains its own power source and can perform a complicated series of actions, including responses to external stimuli, without human intervention

2. somebody who acts like machine: somebody who behaves like a machine in emotionlessly obeying instructions and performing repetitive actions

[Early 17th century. Via Latin< Greek, neuter of automatos "acting by itself"]

au·tom·a·tous adjective
Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
Shopping
© 2009 Microsoft