[aw-tom-uh-ton, -tn] 
[-tuh] . | 1. | a mechanical figure or contrivance constructed to act as if by its own motive power; robot. |
| 2. | a person or animal that acts in a monotonous, routine manner, without active intelligence. |
| 3. | something capable of acting automatically or without an external motive force. |
| au·tom·a·ta (ô-tŏm'ə-tə) n. A plural of automaton. |
| au·tom·a·ton (ô-tŏm'ə-tən, -tŏn') n. pl. au·tom·a·tons or au·tom·a·ta (-tə)
[Latin, self-operating machine, from Greek, from neuter of automatos, self-acting; see automatic.] au·tom'a·tous adj. |
automata
automaton