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AUTOMATIC

 - 12 dictionary results
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au⋅to⋅mat⋅ic

  [aw-tuh-mat-ik]
Use AUTOMATIC in a Sentence
–adjective
1. having the capability of starting, operating, moving, etc., independently: an automatic sprinkler system; an automatic car wash.
2. Physiology. occurring independently of volition, as certain muscular actions; involuntary.
3. done unconsciously or from force of habit; mechanical: an automatic application of the brakes.
4. occurring spontaneously: automatic enthusiasm.
5. (of a firearm, pistol, etc.) utilizing the recoil or part of the force of the explosive to eject the spent cartridge shell, introduce a new cartridge, cock the arm, and fire it repeatedly.
–noun
6. a machine that operates automatically.
7. automatic rifle.
8. automatic pistol.
9. Football. audible (def. 2).
10. automatic pilot.
11. automatic transmission.
12. an automobile equipped with automatic transmission.
—Idiom
13. on automatic, being operated or controlled by or as if by an automatic device.
Origin:
1740–50; < Gk autómat(os) self-moving (see automaton ) + -ic

Related forms:
au⋅to⋅mat⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
au⋅to⋅ma⋅tic⋅i⋅ty  [aw-tuh-muh-tis-i-tee] , noun

Synonyms:
2. Automatic, involuntary, spontaneous all mean not under the control of the will. That which is automatic, however, is an invariable reaction to a fixed type of stimulus: The patella reflex is automatic. That which is involuntary is an unexpected response that varies according to the occasion, circumstances, mood, etc.: an involuntary cry of pain. That which is spontaneous arises from immediate stimuli and usually involves an expression of strong feeling: a spontaneous roar of laughter.
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au⋅di⋅ble

  [aw-duh-buhl]
–adjective
1. capable of being heard; loud enough to be heard; actually heard.
–noun
2. Also called automatic, checkoff. Football. a play called at the line of scrimmage to supersede the play originally agreed upon as the result of a change in strategy.
Origin:
1520–30; < LL audībilis, equiv. to L audī(re) to hear + -bilis -ble

Related forms:
au⋅di⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, au⋅di⋅ble⋅ness, noun
au⋅di⋅bly, adverb

automatic pilot

 
–noun
1. Aeronautics. an airborne electronic control system that automatically maintains a preset heading and attitude. Also called automatic, autopilot, gyropilot, robot.
—Idiom
2. on automatic pilot, functioning in an unthinking or reflexive manner.
Origin:
1915–20

automatic pistol

 
–noun
a type of pistol having a mechanism that throws out the empty shell, puts in a new one, and prepares the pistol to be fired again.
Also called automatic.

Origin:
1875–80

automatic rifle

 
–noun
a type of light machine gun capable of firing automatically or in single shots.
Also called automatic, machine rifle.

Origin:
1875–80

automatic transmission

 
–noun
an automotive transmission requiring either very little or no manual shifting of gears.
Also called automatic, automatic drive.

Origin:
1945–50
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To AUTOMATIC
au·di·ble   (ô'də-bəl)   
adj.  That is heard or that can be heard.
n.  Football A new or substitute offensive play called by the quarterback or a defensive formation called by a linebacker at the line of scrimmage as an adjustment to the opposing side's formation. Also called automatic.

[Late Latin audībilis, from Latin audīre, to hear; see au- in Indo-European roots.]
au'di·bil'i·ty, au'di·ble·ness n., au'di·bly adv.
au·to·mat·ic   (ô'tə-māt'ĭk)   
adj.  

    1. Acting or operating in a manner essentially independent of external influence or control: an automatic light switch; a budget deficit that triggered automatic spending cuts.

    2. Self-regulating: an automatic washing machine.

    3. Acting or done without volition or conscious control; involuntary: automatic shrinking of the pupils of the eyes in strong light. See Synonyms at spontaneous.

    4. Acting or done as if by machine; mechanical: an automatic reply to a familiar question.

    5. Capable of firing continuously until ammunition is exhausted or the trigger is released: an automatic rifle.

    6. Semiautomatic: an automatic pistol.

    1. Acting or done without volition or conscious control; involuntary: automatic shrinking of the pupils of the eyes in strong light. See Synonyms at spontaneous.

    2. Acting or done as if by machine; mechanical: an automatic reply to a familiar question.

    3. Capable of firing continuously until ammunition is exhausted or the trigger is released: an automatic rifle.

    4. Semiautomatic: an automatic pistol.

    1. Capable of firing continuously until ammunition is exhausted or the trigger is released: an automatic rifle.

    2. Semiautomatic: an automatic pistol.

n.  

  1. An automatic machine or device.

    1. An automatic firearm.

    2. A semiautomatic firearm.

  3. A transmission or a motor vehicle with an automatic gear-shifting mechanism.

  4. Football See audible.


[From Greek automatos : auto-, auto- + -matos, willing; see men-1 in Indo-European roots.]
au'to·mat'i·cal·ly adv., au'to·ma·tic'i·ty (-mə-tĭs'ĭ-tē) n.
Word History: The words automatic pilot or automatic transmission bring to mind mechanical devices that operate with minimal human intervention. Yet the word automatic, which goes back to the Greek word automatos, "acting of one's own will, self-acting, of itself," made up of two parts, auto-, "self," and -matos, "willing," is first recorded in English in 1748 with reference to motions of the body, such as the peristaltic action of the intestines: "The Motions are called automatic from their Resemblance to the Motions of Automata, or Machines, whose Principle of Motion is within themselves." Although the writer had machines in mind, automatic could be used of living things, a use we still have. The association of automatic chiefly with machinery may represent one instance of many in which we have come to see the world in mechanical terms.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

audible 
1529, from M.Fr. audible, from L.L. audibilis, from L. audire "to hear," from PIE *awis-dh-yo-, from base *au- "to perceive" (see audience).

automatic 
1748, first used by Eng. physician and philosopher David Hartley (1705-57) in ref. to involuntary animal or human actions, from Gk. automatos "self-acting," from autos- "self" (comb. form) + matos "thinking, animated." Sense of "self-acting, having power of motion" is from 1812; especially of machinery which simulates human action from 1940. As an abbreviation of automatic pistol or gun, it is attested from 1902; meaning "car with an automatic transmission" is from 1949. Automatic teller first attested 1971. Automation was coined 1948 by Ford Motor Co. Vice President Delmar S. Harder; automate is a 1952 back-formation.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: au·to·mat·ic
Function: adjective
: happening or existing through the operation of a preexisting arrangement that is triggered by some event; specifically : happening or existing through the operation of law <automatic reversal> automatic appeal> —au·to·mat·i·cal·ly adverb
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: au·di·ble
Pronunciation: 'od-&-b&l
Function: adjective
: heard or capable of being heard —au·di·bil·i·ty /"od-&-'bil-&t-E/ noun plural -ties
—au·di·bly /'od-&-blE/ adverb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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