automaton
/ɔːˈtɒmətən/noun
(pl. automata /ˈɔːtəmətə/ 或automatons)
1- a moving mechanical device made in imitation of a human being机器人。
1.1
- a machine which performs a function according to a predetermined set of coded instructions, especially one capable of a range of programmed responses to different circumstances自动机。
1.2
- used in similes and comparisons to refer to a person who seems to act in a mechanical or unemotional way做事机械的人, 行为像机器般的人。
词源
early 17th cent.: via Latin from Greek， neuter of automatos 'acting of itself'， from autos 'self'.