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



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Word of the Day

22 December 2024

SUNGLASSES

(noun) (plural) spectacles that are darkened or polarized to protect the eyes from the glare of the sun; “he was wearing a pair of mirrored shades”


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Coffee Trivia

Decaffeinated coffee is not caffeine-free. Studies from the National Institute of Health (US) have shown that virtually all decaf coffee types contain caffeine. A 236-ml (8-oz) cup of decaf coffee contains up to 7 mg of caffeine, whereas a regular cup provided 70-140 mg.

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