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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary au·to·mat·ic \\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 automatic2. having a self-acting or self-regulating mechanism an automatic transmission3. 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-\\ nounnoun DATE 1897
1. a machine or apparatus that operates automatically: as a. an automatic firearm b. an automatic transmission2. a semiautomatic firearm3. audible
automatic
1812, "self-acting, moving or acting on its own," from Gk. automatos, used of the gates of Olympus and the tripods of Hephaestus (also "without apparent cause, by accident"), from autos "self" (see auto-) + matos "thinking, animated" (see automaton). Of involuntary animal or human actions, from 1748, first used by Eng. physician and philosopher David Hartley (1705-1757). As an adj., in ref. to a type of firearm, from 1877; specifically of machinery that imitates human-directed action from 1940. As a noun meaning "automatic weapon" it is recorded from 1902; meaning "motorized vehicle with automatic transmission" is from 1949.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of Englishautomatic
adj. 1 working by itself VERBS be The machine is fully automatic. ADV. completely, fully, totally 2 certain to happen VERBS be ADV. almost, virtually Promotion was almost automatic after two or three years. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 ☞ automaticauto·mat·ic / 7C:tE5mAtik / adjective1. (of a machine, device, etc. 机器、装置等) having controls that work without needing a person to operate them 自动的: automatic doors 自动门 a fully automatic driverless train 全自动无人驾驶火车 automatic transmission (= in a car, etc.) (汽车等内的)自动变速器 an automatic rifle (= six that continues to fire as long as the trigger is pressed) 自动步枪 2. done or happening without thinking 无意识的；不假思索的 SYN instinctive : Breathing is an automatic function of the body. 呼吸是一种无意识的功能。 My reaction was automatic. 我的反应是不由自主的。 3. always happening as a result of a particular action or situation 必然的；当然的: A fine for this offence is automatic. 这种违法行为当然要罚款。 • auto·mat·ic·al·ly / -kli / adv.: The heating switches off automatically. 该供暖系统可自动关闭。 I turned left automatically without thinking. 我不假思索地向左转弯。 You will automatically get free dental treatment if you are under 18. 18 岁以下的人一律免费得到牙科治疗。 noun1. a gun that can fire bullets continuously as long as the trigger is pressed 自动手枪(或步枪)2. (BrE) a car with a system of gears that operates without direct action from the driver 自动变速汽车；自动换挡汽车⇨ compare stick shift (2)
automatic adj.
⇨ electronic Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged Search result show the entry is found in: automatic block signal , or automatic coverage , or automatic currency , or automatic drill , or automatic drive , or automatic jointer , or automatic line finder , or automatic machine , or automatic pistol , or automatic premium loan , or automatic progression , or automatic reel , or automatic reinstatement , or automatic rifle , or automatic selling , or automatic sequence , or automatic switch , or automatic transmission , or automatic writing , or automatic pilot , or browning automatic machine rifle , or browning automatic rifle , or automatic teller , or automatic teller machine , or full automatic
au·to·mat·icI. \|ȯd.ə|mad.ik, |ȯtə-, -atik, -ēk\ adjectivealso au·to·mat·i·cal \-ə̇kəl, -ēk-\ Etymology: Greek automatos self-acting + English -ic, -ical — more at automaton 1. a. : involuntary either wholly or to a major extent so that any activity of the will is largely negligible : of a reflex nature : without volition < the automatic blinking of the eyelids > b. : like or suggestive of an automaton : mechanical < the automatic smile of a tired store clerk > c. : performed without conscious awareness < an unthinking automatic response >2. archaic : able to move and act in total independence of any outside cause : having the power of motion and action entirely within self 3. : having a self-acting or self-regulating mechanism that performs a required act at a predetermined point in an operation < automatic feed of a lathe > < automatic record changer >4. : marked by spontaneous or apparently spontaneous action : marked by action that is unpremeditated and that arises as a really or apparently necessary reaction to or consequence of a given set of circumstances < the automatic enthusiasm of the crowd over the returning heroes > < automatic branding of the suspect as a traitor >5. of a firearm : marked by the use of either gas pressure or force of recoil and mechanical spring action for ejecting the empty cartridge case after the first shot, loading the next cartridge from the magazine, firing, ejecting the spent case, and repeating the above cycle as long as the pressure on the trigger is maintained and there is ammunition in the magazine or other loading device < automatic weapons >— compare semiautomatic Synonyms: see spontaneous II. noun( -s) : a machine or apparatus that operates automatically; especially : an automatic or autoloading firearm III. noun: audible herein
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