AUTOMATIC Definition & Meaning

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automatic

[aw-tuh-mat-ik]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

having the capability of starting, operating, moving, etc., independently.
an automatic sprinkler system; an automatic car wash.
Physiology.��occurring independently of volition, as certain muscular actions; involuntary.
done unconsciously or from force of habit; mechanical.
an automatic application of the brakes.
occurring spontaneously.
automatic enthusiasm.
(of a firearm, pistol, etc.) utilizing the recoil or part of the force of the explosive to eject the spent cartridge shell, introduce a new cartridge, cock the arm, and fire it repeatedly.

noun

a machine that operates automatically.
automatic rifle.
automatic pistol.
Football.��audible.
automatic pilot.
automatic transmission.
an automobile equipped with automatic transmission.

automatic

/ ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk, ˌɔːtəʊməˈtɪsɪtɪ /

adjective

performed from force of habit or without conscious thought; lacking spontaneity; mechanical
an automatic smile
1. (of a device, mechanism, etc) able to activate, move, or regulate itself
2. (of an act or process) performed by such automatic equipment
(of the action of a muscle, gland, etc) involuntary or reflex
occurring as a necessary consequence
promotion is automatic after a year
1. utilizing some of the force of or gas from each explosion to eject the empty shell case, replace it with a new one, and fire continuously until release of the trigger Compare semiautomatic
2. short for semiautomatic See also machine

noun

an automatic firearm
a motor vehicle having automatic transmission
a machine that operates automatically

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

automatically adverb
automaticity noun
nonautomatic adjective
nonautomatically adverb
quasi-automatic adjective
quasi-automatically adverb
subautomatic adjective
subautomatically adverb
unautomatic adjective
unautomatically adverb
ˌ��ܳٴ�ˈ��پ�� adverb

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of automatic¹

First recorded in 1740–50; from Greek ��ܳ�ó��(�ǲ�) “self-moving” ( automaton ) + -ic

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of automatic¹

C18: from Greek automatos acting independently

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

on automatic, being operated or controlled by or as if by an automatic device.

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Synonym Study

Automatic, involuntary, spontaneous all mean not under the control of the will. That which is automatic, however, is an invariable reaction to a fixed type of stimulus: The patella reflex is automatic. That which is involuntary is an unexpected response that varies according to the occasion, circumstances, mood, etc.: an involuntary cry of pain. That which is spontaneous arises from immediate stimuli and usually involves an expression of strong feeling: a spontaneous roar of laughter.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"Then, just a split second later, as the shelling began again, I heard a burst from an automatic rifle," Zelenin said.

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It is not clear if the users know that their searches are being posted into a public feed on the Meta AI app and website, though the process is not automatic.

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Do you get into sort of a flow state or almost, like, automatic writing, where you’re not totally aware of what you’re even doing?

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One video posted online on Sunday morning appeared to show Palestinians taking cover in an open area of sandy terrain while what sounds like automatic gunfire rings out.

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The DNC’s current executive committee is a bastion of the party establishment, unlikely to signal to grassroots Democrats and the general public that the party is no longer locked into automatic pilot.

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Related 51�Թ�s

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electric��
electronic��
mechanical��

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

automated-teller machine automatically

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