autoloadingprenominal semiautomatic

Automatic Au`to*mat"ic, Automatical Au`to*mat"ic*al, a. [Cf. F. automatique. See {Automaton}.] 1. Having an inherent power of action or motion. [1913 Webster]

Nothing can be said to be automatic. --Sir H. Davy. [1913 Webster]

2. Pertaining to, or produced by, an automaton; of the nature of an automaton; self-acting or self-regulating under fixed conditions; operating with minimal human intervention; -- esp. applied to machinery or devices in which certain things formerly or usually done by hand are done by the machine or device itself; as, the automatic feed of a lathe; automatic gas lighting; an automatic engine or switch; an automatic mouse; an automatic transmission. The opposite of {manual}.

Note: Narrower terms are: {autoloading(prenominal), semiautomatic ; {automated, machine-controlled, machine-driven ; {self-acting, self-activating, self-moving, self-regulating ; {self-locking ; {self-winding . Also See: mechanical. [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]

3. (Physiol.) Not voluntary; not depending on the will; mechanical; controlled by the autonomic nervous system; without conscious control; as, automatic movements or functions. The opposite of {voluntary}.

Syn: reflex(prenominal), reflexive,involuntary [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]

Unconscious or automatic reasoning. --H. Spenser. [1913 Webster]

4. like the unthinking functioning of a machine. an automatic `thank you'

Syn: automaton-like, automatonlike, machinelike, machine-like, robotlike. [WordNet 1.5]

{Automatic arts}, such economic arts or manufacture as are carried on by self-acting machinery. --Ure. [1913 Webster]