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From [[Greek]] automatos self-acting, from aut- + -matos (akin to [[Latin]] ment-, mens mind) — more at [[mind]]
Date: 1748
*1 a.largely or wholly involuntary ; especially : [[reflex]] <automatic blinking of the eyelids>
:b. acting or done [[spontaneous]]ly or unconsciously
:c. done or produced as if by [[machine]] : [[mechanical]] <the answers were automatic>
*2. having a self-acting or self-regulating mechanism <an automatic transmission>
*3. of a firearm : firing repeatedly until the trigger is released
synonyms see spontaneous
— au·to·mat·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
— au·to·ma·tic·i·ty \-mə-ˈti-sə-tē, -ma-\ noun
See: [[Automaton]]
[[Category: General Reference]]