auto-, aut-
(Greek: self, same, spontaneous; directed from within)
automatically
1. In a reflex manner; as, "He answered automatically."
2. In a mechanical manner; by a mechanism operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control.
2. In a mechanical manner; by a mechanism operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control.
automation
1. A system in which a workplace or process has been converted to one that replaces or minimizes human labor with mechanical or electronic equipment.
2. A mechanical device, operated electronically, and which functions automatically, without continuous input from an operator.
3. The act of automating something, or the state of being automated.
2. A mechanical device, operated electronically, and which functions automatically, without continuous input from an operator.
3. The act of automating something, or the state of being automated.
This word was coined in 1936 by D.S. Harder, a Generl Motors employee, but it didn't come into popular use until around the 1950s. Harder defined automation as the "automatic handling of parts between progressive production processes," but one of the current definitions is "the technique or system of operating a mechanical or productive device by highly automatic means, as by electronic devices"; as well as, those shown above.
Based on information from Word and Phrase Origins
automation, automaton
automation (aw" tuh MAY shuhn) (noun)
1. The technique, method, or system of operating or controlling a process with electronic devices, reducing human intervention to a minimum: The door uses a system of automation so you don't have to push it open.
2. The self-moving transfer of one unit of a complex industrial assembly to a succession of machines, each of which completes another stage in a manufacturing process: Modern automobile companies are using more automation than were used decades ago.
2. The self-moving transfer of one unit of a complex industrial assembly to a succession of machines, each of which completes another stage in a manufacturing process: Modern automobile companies are using more automation than were used decades ago.
automaton (aw TOM uh tuhn) (noun)
1. Anything capable of spontaneous movement or action: Silvia had an incredible automaton, or robot, that was vacuuming the rugs in the living room.
2. A person who acts in a mechanical or machinelike way: Hans was behaving like an unfeeling automaton.
2. A person who acts in a mechanical or machinelike way: Hans was behaving like an unfeeling automaton.
Lorena's uncle was so surprised to see what the new automation was able to do, that he was moving like an automaton; that is, moving as if he were in a daze of amazement.
automatism
1. Behavior that is not under the control of the will, as a reflexive response.
2. An apparently goal-directed activity that is not, in fact, under the conscious, voluntary control, of the subject (occurring in epilepsy, catatonia, and fugue states).
2. An apparently goal-directed activity that is not, in fact, under the conscious, voluntary control, of the subject (occurring in epilepsy, catatonia, and fugue states).
This subject includes the performance of acts without conscious will, as, for example, after an attack of epilepsy or a concussion of the brain.
In such conditions, the person may perform acts of which he or she is neither conscious of at the time nor has any memory afterwards.
It is especially liable to occur when people suffering from epilepsy, mental subnormality, or concussion consume alcoholic drinks.
Any apparatus or instrument for recording automatic or involuntary bodily movements.
1. A self-operating machine or mechanism, especially a robot: The Smiths bought an automaton, a special device which would mow the lawn in their garden all by itself.
2. A mechanical figure or contrivance constructed to act as if by its own motive power: Tommy got an automaton for his birthday, which looked like a little soldier and could be operated by winding it up so it would walk around in his living room.
3. Someone who acts or responds in a mechanical or apathetic way: Only an automaton wouldn't have noticed the threat of the thunderstorm.
4. A person or animal that acts in a monotonous, routine manner, without active intelligence: The whole football team sat around after the game, like automatons, lifeless and depressed after losing the last game of the season.
5. A mechanism that can move automatically or without an external motive force; such as, an android: The cell phone that Janet has can be considered to be an automaton in that it responds to encoded instructions.
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2. A mechanical figure or contrivance constructed to act as if by its own motive power: Tommy got an automaton for his birthday, which looked like a little soldier and could be operated by winding it up so it would walk around in his living room.
3. Someone who acts or responds in a mechanical or apathetic way: Only an automaton wouldn't have noticed the threat of the thunderstorm.
4. A person or animal that acts in a monotonous, routine manner, without active intelligence: The whole football team sat around after the game, like automatons, lifeless and depressed after losing the last game of the season.
5. A mechanism that can move automatically or without an external motive force; such as, an android: The cell phone that Janet has can be considered to be an automaton in that it responds to encoded instructions.
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so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
An abnormal fear of ventriloquists' dummies, wax statues, or anything that represents a non-living being that appears to have feelings or perceptions: Tom couldn't stand animatronic creatures after being at the circus with his family, and he developed automatonophobia after having nightmares about such humanlike figures chasing and attacking him!
A small device placed in a photocopier to enable copying to begin and to record the number of copies made.
autometry, autometric
1. Self-measurement.
2. Self-estimation.
3. Measurement of the parts of one's figure in terms of its entire height.
4. Using oneself as the measuring stick for other people, cultures, and languages.
2. Self-estimation.
3. Measurement of the parts of one's figure in terms of its entire height.
4. Using oneself as the measuring stick for other people, cultures, and languages.
automimicry
1. In an organism, the mimicking of one anatomical structure by another to accentuate the former; for example, the ears of some antelopes that mimic their horns in acting as visual signaling devices.
2. Mimicry in which a palatable morph (the mimic) resembles a non-palatable morph (the model) of the same species; the polymorphism with respect to palatability can arise from a choice of different food plants by model and mimic.
2. Mimicry in which a palatable morph (the mimic) resembles a non-palatable morph (the model) of the same species; the polymorphism with respect to palatability can arise from a choice of different food plants by model and mimic.
The spontaneous revival of memories of an earlier condition of one's life without any marked associative circumstance: When the two older ladies went to the seaside for a short vacation, one of the ladies, Mrs. Johnson, experienced an automnesia when she suddenly remembered her son as a toddler playing with small figures beside their house.
1. That which moves by means of mechanism and power within itself; especially, of a vehicle; self-propelling as distinguished from horse-drawn.
2. A self-moving vehicle; a motor vehicle.
3. A road vehicle, usually with four wheels and powered by an internal-combustion engine, designed to carry a small number of passengers.
2. A self-moving vehicle; a motor vehicle.
3. A road vehicle, usually with four wheels and powered by an internal-combustion engine, designed to carry a small number of passengers.
automorphism, automorphic, automorphically
1. Patterned after oneself.
2. The judgment of others by analogy from the knowledge of one's self.
3. An ascription (relating a particular cause) to others of one's own characteristics.
2. The judgment of others by analogy from the knowledge of one's self.
3. An ascription (relating a particular cause) to others of one's own characteristics.
automotive
1. Moving by itself; self-propelling or self-propelled.
2. Of or relating to self-propelled vehicles.
3. Relating to motor vehicles; such as, "automotive supplies".
2. Of or relating to self-propelled vehicles.
3. Relating to motor vehicles; such as, "automotive supplies".
An excessive fear of being dirty and stinking, or of personal filth which may result in abnormally frequent bathing, as shown in the illustration below: Ted thought that he needed to take a long bath or shower each morning, every time he came home from school, and in the evening, thinking that he smelled quite offensive to himself and to others, and, as a result, he developed automysophobia.
