automatˈical adjective (archaic)

automatˈically adverb

automaticity /-tisˈi-ti/ noun

automˈatism noun

1. Automatic or involuntary action
2. An automatic act done without the full co-operation of the personality, which may even be totally unaware of its existence (biology)
3. The self-acting power of the muscular and nervous systems, by which movement is effected without intelligent determination (medicine and zoology)
4. Action without conscious volition
5. The doctrine that animals are automata, their movements, etc being the result of mechanical laws
6. Suspension of control by the conscious mind, so that ideas may be released from the unconscious, a technique of surrealism (art)

automˈatist noun

1. A person who holds the doctrine of automatism
2. A person who acts automatically

automˈatize or automˈatise transitive verb

To make automatic

automatic data processing noun

The automated handling and processing of information by computers

automatic defibrillator noun

A small battery-powered device implanted in the body which senses and corrects abnormal heart rhythms

automatic drive noun

Automatic transmission

automatic gain control noun

A system in amplifiers that compensates for a wide range of input signals to give a more uniform level of output

automatic pilot noun

1. (also auˈtopilot) a device which can be set to guide and control an aircraft or a ship on a chosen course
2. Used figurative of an automatism that takes over one's actions or behaviour in fatigue, abstraction, etc

automatic teller or automatic teller machine noun

An electronic panel set into the exterior wall of a bank, etc from which (on the insertion of a card and the keying of a personal identification number) customers are able to obtain cash, information about their accounts, etc (abbrev ATM)

Automatic Train Protection noun

A system which automatically stops or slows down a train in response to a signal or speed restriction (abbrev ATP)

automatic transmission noun

1. (in a motor vehicle) power transmission by fluid drive, allowing gears to change automatically
2. The transmission of (usu) computer data between two points via a telephone system

Automatic Vehicle Identification noun

A system for toll roads which recognizes electronically-tagged vehicles and automatically charges the owner's account (abbrev AVI)

automatic vending noun

The sale of products (eg cigarettes, confectionery) by means of coin-operated slot-machines

automatic writing noun

Writing performed without the volition of the writer