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automaton

 - 4 dictionary results

au⋅tom⋅a⋅ton

  [aw-tom-uh-ton, -tn]
–noun, plural -tons, -ta  [-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.
Use automaton in a Sentence
Origin:
1605–15; < L: automatic device < Gk, n. use of neut. of autómatos spontaneous, acting without human agency, equiv. to auto- auto- 1 + -matos, adj. deriv. from base of memonénai to intend, ménos might, force

Related forms:
au⋅tom⋅a⋅tous, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To automaton
au·tom·a·ton   (ô-tŏm'ə-tən, -tŏn')   
n.   pl. au·tom·a·tons or au·tom·a·ta (-tə)

  1. A self-operating machine or mechanism, especially a robot.

  2. One that behaves or responds in a mechanical way.


[Latin, self-operating machine, from Greek, from neuter of automatos, self-acting; see automatic.]
au·tom'a·tous adj.
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

automaton 
1611, from L. automaton, from Gk. automaton, neut. of automatos "self-acting," from autos "self" + matos "thinking, animated."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Computing Dictionary

automaton robotics, mathematics, algorithm
(Plural automata) A machine, robot, or formal system designed to follow a precise sequence of instructions.
Automata theory, the invention and study of automata, includes the study of the capabilities and limitations of computing processes, the manner in which systems receive input, process it, and produce output, and the relationships between behavioural theories and the operation and use of automated devices.
See also cellular automaton, finite state machine.
(1996-04-23)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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