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   automatic

   /ˌɔːtəˈmatɪk/

   adjective

   • 1. (of a device or process) working by itself with little or no direct human control: "an automatic kettle that switches itself off when it boils" Similar mechanizedmechanicalautomatedpush-buttonpreprogrammedcomputerizedelectronicroboticunmannedself-activatingself-regulatingself-directingself-executingOpposite manualhand-operated
   • ▪ (of a firearm) self-loading and able to fire continuously until the ammunition is exhausted or the pressure on the trigger is released: "automatic weapons"
   • ▪ (of a motor vehicle or its transmission) using gears that change by themselves according to speed and acceleration: "a four-speed automatic gearbox"
   • 2. done or occurring spontaneously, without conscious thought or attention: "automatic physical functions such as breathing" Similar instinctiveinvoluntaryunconsciousreflexknee-jerkreflexiveinstinctualsubconsciousunconditionedspontaneousimpulsiveunthinkingunpremeditatedunintentionalunintendedunbiddenunwittinginadvertentmechanicalhabitualinformal:gutOpposite consciousintentionaldeliberate
   • ▪ done or occurring as a matter of course and without debate: "he is the automatic choice for the senior team"
   • ▪ (especially of a legal sanction) given or imposed as a necessary and inevitable result of a fixed rule or particular set of circumstances: "he received an automatic one-match suspension" Similar inevitableunavoidableinescapableunpreventablenecessaryineluctablecertaindefiniteundoubtedassuredobviousmandatorycompulsory

   noun

   • 1. a gun that continues firing until the ammunition is exhausted or the pressure on the trigger is released: "the rapid fire of automatics"
   • 2. a vehicle with automatic transmission: "a Mercedes 300SL five-speed automatic"
   • 3. a mode of operation in which a particular function of a piece of equipment is performed automatically rather than manually: "the majority of users of this type of camera will shoot in automatic"

   Word Origin late 16th century: from modern Latin automaticus ‘acting of itself’, from Latin automatum (see automaton) + -icus -ic.

   Derivatives

   • 1. automaticity noun

   Scrabble Points: 13

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