AUTOMATIC


Meaning of AUTOMATIC in English

adj. & n.

--adj.

1. (of a machine, device, etc., or its function) working by itself, without direct human intervention.

2 a done spontaneously, without conscious thought or intention (an automatic reaction). b necessary and inevitable (an automatic penalty).

3 Psychol. performed unconsciously or subconsciously.

4 (of a firearm) that continues firing until the ammunition is exhausted or the pressure on the trigger is released.

5 (of a motor vehicle or its transmission) using gears that change automatically according to speed and acceleration.

--n.

1. an automatic device, esp. a gun or transmission.

2 colloq. a vehicle with automatic transmission.

Phrases and idioms:

automatic pilot a device for keeping an aircraft on a set course.

Derivatives:

automatically adv. automaticity n.

Etymology: formed as AUTOMATON + -IC

Oxford English vocab.      Оксфордский английский словарь.