AUTOMATON
automaton, robot, golem
(noun) a mechanism that can move automatically
automaton, zombi, zombie
(noun) someone who acts or responds in a mechanical or apathetic way; “only an automaton wouldn’t have noticed”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
automaton (plural automatons or automata)
A machine or robot designed to follow a precise sequence of instructions.
A person who acts like a machine or robot, often defined as having a monotonous lifestyle and lacking in emotion.
A formal system, such as finite automaton.
A toy in the form of a mechanical figure.
(dated) The self-acting power of the muscular and nervous systems, by which movement is effected without intelligent determination.
Hyponyms
• robot
Source: Wiktionary
Au*tom"a*ton, n.; pl. L. Automata (, E. Automatons (. Etym: [L. fr.
Gr. ma, man, to strive, think, cf. Mean, v. i.]
1. Any thing or being regarded as having the power of spontaneous
motion or action. Huxley.
So great and admirable an automaton as the world. Boyle.
These living automata, human bodies. Boyle.
2. A self-moving machine, or one which has its motive power within
itself; -- applied chiefly to machines which appear to imitate
spontaneously the motions of living beings, such as men, birds, etc.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition