*automat*

v. 1. make automatic; to change [ a process ] so that it is mostly automatic; to substitute machinery for human labor in an activity.
Syn. -- automatize. [ WordNet 1.5 ] [ +PJC ]

adj. 1. 1 accomplished by machinary without the intervention of a human operator; -- of processes. Development of the automated sequence analyzer made practical a project to sequence the human genome.
Syn. -- machine-controlled, machine-driven. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;; &unr_; self + &unr_;, &unr_;, to learn. ] One who is self-taught. [ R. ] Young. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. light machine gun.
Syn. -- automatic rifle, machine rifle [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. a pistol that will keep firing until the ammunition is gone or the trigger is released; as, a .45 automatic.
Syn. -- automatic pistol. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

{ } a. [ Cf. F. automatique. See Automaton. ] 1. Having an inherent power of action or motion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nothing can be said to be automatic. Sir H. Davy. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Pertaining to, or produced by, an automaton; of the nature of an automaton; self-acting or self-regulating under fixed conditions; operating with minimal human intervention; -- esp. applied to machinery or devices in which certain things formerly or usually done by hand are done by the machine or device itself; as, the automatic feed of a lathe; automatic gas lighting; an automatic engine or switch; an automatic mouse; an automatic transmission. The opposite of manual. Narrower terms are: autoloading(prenominal), semiautomatic ; automated, machine-controlled, machine-driven ; self-acting, self-activating, self-moving, self-regulating ; self-locking ; self-winding . Also See: mechanical. [ 1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5 ]

3. (Physiol.) Not voluntary; not depending on the will; mechanical; controlled by the autonomic nervous system; without conscious control; as, automatic movements or functions. The opposite of voluntary.
Syn. -- reflex(prenominal), reflexive, involuntary [ 1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5 ]

Unconscious or automatic reasoning. H. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. like the unthinking functioning of a machine. an automatic `thank you'
Syn. -- automaton-like, automatonlike, machinelike, machine-like, robotlike. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

Automatic arts, such economic arts or manufacture as are carried on by self-acting machinery. Ure. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an automatic manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or quality of being automatic; the power of self-moving; automatic, mechanical, or involuntary action. Specifically: (Metaph.) A theory as to the activity of matter. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. same as automate.
Syn. -- automate. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n.; pl. L. Automata E. Automatons [ L. fr. Gr. &unr_;, neut. of &unr_; self-moving; &unr_; self + a root ma, man, to strive, think, cf. &unr_; to strive. See Mean, v. i. ] 1. Any thing or being regarded as having the power of spontaneous motion or action. Huxley. [ 1913 Webster ]

So great and admirable an automaton as the world. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

These living automata, human bodies. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A self-moving machine, or one which has its motive power within itself; -- applied chiefly to machines which appear to imitate spontaneously the motions of living beings, such as men, birds, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. automatus, Gr. &unr_;. See Automaton. ] Automatic. [ Obs. ] “Automatous organs.” Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. same as hand-operated.
Syn. -- hand-operated. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]