n. 1 a machine with a human appearance or functioning like a human. 2 a machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically. 3 a person who works mechanically and efficiently but insensitively. 4 S.Afr. an automatic traffic-signal. robotic adj. robotize v.tr. (also -ise).
[ Czech (in K. C.apek'.s play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) 1920), f. robota forced labour ]