I. ˌȯ-tə-ˈma-tik 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-)lē adverb
• au·to·ma·tic·i·ty -mə-ˈti-sə-tē, -ma- noun
II. noun
Date: 1897
1. : a machine or apparatus that operates automatically: as
a. : an automatic firearm
b. : an automatic transmission
2. : a semiautomatic firearm
3. : audible