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