n.
Pronunciation: ˌ o ̇ -t ə - ' ma-tik
Function: adjective
Etymology: 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 5 < automatic blinking of the eyelids> b : acting or done spontaneously 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 -)l ē \ adverb
– au · to · ma · tic · i · ty \ -m ə - ' ti-s ə -t ē , -ma- \ noun