automaton

au·tom·a·ton

noun \ȯ-ˈtä-mə-tən, -mə-ˌtän\

plural au·tom·atons or au·tom·a·ta\-mə-tə, -mə-ˌtä\

Definition of AUTOMATON

1

: a mechanism that is relatively self-operating; especially : robot

2

: a machine or control mechanism designed to follow automatically a predetermined sequence of operations or respond to encoded instructions

3

: an individual who acts in a mechanical fashion

Origin of AUTOMATON

Latin, from Greek, neuter of automatos

First Known Use: 1645

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

centrifuge, differential, flange, lathe, linchpin, pinion, plenum, ratchet, traction

Rhymes with AUTOMATON

abutilon, Agamemnon, anticodon, antiproton, archenteron, arrière-ban, asyndeton, Azerbaijan, Bellerophon, bildungsroman, carrying-on, diazinon, dodecagon, emoticon, encephalon, get a move on, himation, interferon, kakiemon, keep an eye on, Laocoön, mesenteron, Michoacán, millimicron, oxymoron, phenomenon, protozoon, pteranodon, put the arm on, put the make on, rear echelon, Rostov-on-Don, Saskatchewan, septentrion, set one's heart on, set one's sights on, sine qua non, steal a march on, take it out on, Taklimakan, turn one's back on, Vientiane, wipe one's boots on, zero coupon, zooplankton

automaton

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Mechanical object, either functional (such as a clock) or decorative (such as a miniature singing bird), that is self-operating. Devices set in motion by water, falling weights, and steam were in use in the 1st century. Decorative mechanical objects were made for ecclesiastical use and table ornaments in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Spectacular fountains and waterworks can be seen in 16th-century Italian gardens; elaborate mechanical devices (such as the chess-playing Turk) were popular in the 18th–19th century. Except for some works by Carl Fabergé, the production of expensive automatons virtually ceased by the 20th century.