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autonomic

adjective
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au·​to·​nom·​ic | \ ˌȯ-tə-ˈnä-mik How to pronounce autonomic (audio) \

Definition of autonomic

1 : acting or occurring involuntarily autonomic reflexes
2 : relating to, affecting, or controlled by the autonomic nervous system or its effects or activity autonomic drugs
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Other Words from autonomic

autonomically \ ˌȯ-​tə-​ˈnä-​mi-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce autonomically (audio) \ adverb

Examples of autonomic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The brain’s function is autonomic so there is nothing to assemble here. — Mike Oliver | Moliver@al.com, al, "My Vinyl Countdown preparing or the last post -- I need another 30 months," 10 Aug. 2019 In these cases, the primitive part of our brain designed to protect us in the wild kicks in and our autonomic response is to recklessly fire back. — Josh Linkner, Detroit Free Press, "How the most successful leaders respond in tough moments," 31 July 2019 According to the New York Daily News, more than one million Americans suffer from autonomic disorders. — Megan Friedman, Harper's BAZAAR, "Solange Reveals She’s Been Diagnosed With an Autonomic Disorder," 27 Dec. 2017 Also known as the SPG, these nerves help control autonomic (i.e., involuntary) functions like breathing. — Zahra Barnes, SELF, "Your ‘Sinus Headache’ Might Actually Be a Migraine," 25 Jan. 2018 NYU Langone describes autonomic disorders as: The autonomic nervous system regulates the function of the body’s internal organs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and body temperature. — Essence.com, "Solange Reveals She Has An Autonomic Disorder, Cancels AFROPUNK Joburg 2017 Performance," 27 Dec. 2017 In medical speak, cluster headaches are a type of trigeminal autonomic cephalgia. — Zahra Barnes, SELF, "8 Things You Need to Know About Excruciatingly Painful Cluster Headaches," 17 Dec. 2017 But disruptions to your autonomic nervous system (which also controls other unconscious behaviors like breathing in addition to your heartbeat), like an acute infection or cancer, can affect HRV. — Jessica Migala, SI.com, "What Is Heart Rate Variability–and Do You Need to Know Yours?," 8 Aug. 2017 The autonomic nervous system jump-starts the sympathetic nervous system and accelerates the fight-or-flight response. — Marygrace Taylor, SELF, "This Is What Happens to Your Body When You Cry," 18 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'autonomic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of autonomic

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Time Traveler for autonomic

Time Traveler

The first known use of autonomic was in 1888

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Cite this Entry

“Autonomic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autonomic. Accessed 21 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for autonomic

autonomic

adjective
au·​to·​nom·​ic | \ ˌȯt-ə-ˈnäm-ik How to pronounce autonomic (audio) \

Medical Definition of autonomic

1a : acting or occurring involuntarily autonomic reflexes
b : relating to, affecting, or controlled by the autonomic nervous system autonomic ganglia autonomic dysfunction
2 : having an effect upon tissue supplied by the autonomic nervous system autonomic drugs

Other Words from autonomic

autonomically \ -​i-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce autonomically (audio) \ adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on autonomic

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with autonomic

Britannica English: Translation of autonomic for Arabic Speakers

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