au·to

[aw-toh]
noun, plural au·tos.
adjective
2.
of or pertaining to automobiles: an auto salesman; auto detailing.

Origin:
1895–1900, Americanism; by shortening

Dictionary.com Unabridged

auto-

1
a combining form meaning “self,” “same,” “spontaneous,” used in the formation of compound words: autograph, autodidact.
Also, especially before a vowel, aut-.


Origin:
< Greek, combining form of autós self

00:10
Auto is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.

auto-

2
a combining form representing automobile in compound words: autocade.

Origin:
see auto

auto-

3
a combining form representing automatic in compound words: autoalarm; autofeed; autofocus. Sometimes also taken as an adjective: auto enlarger; auto stop control; auto dialer.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To auto
Collins
World English Dictionary
auto (ˈɔːtəʊ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n , pl -tos
1.  a.  short for automobile
 b.  (as modifier): auto parts
2.  informal (Indian) short for autorickshaw

auto- or (sometimes before a vowel) aut-
 
combining form
1.  self; same; of or by the same one: autobiography
2.  acting from or occurring within; self-caused: autohypnosis
3.  self-propelling; automatic: automobile
 
[from Greek autos self]
 
aut- or (sometimes before a vowel) aut-
 
combining form
 
[from Greek autos self]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

auto-
from Gk. auto- "self, one's own," combining form of autos "self, same," of unknown origin. Before a vowel, aut-; before an aspirate, auth-. In Gk. also used as a prefix to proper names, e.g. automelinna "Melinna herself." The opposite prefix would be allo-.

auto
shortened form of automobile, 1899, from Fr. auto.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

auto- or aut-
pref.
Self; same: autogamy.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
auto-  
A prefix meaning "oneself," as in autoimmune, producing antibodies or immunity against oneself. It also means "by itself, automatic," as in autonomic, governing by itself.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
Abbreviations & Acronyms
auto
automobile
auto.
  1. automatic

  2. automotive

The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Example sentences
Ultimate auto album: an illustrated history of the automobile.
The refuge offers a monthly auto tour, weather permitting.
Researchers are challenging the auto industry to rethink security.
Magazine ad revenue rose for the first time since before the recession last year, led by auto ads.
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