self-winding

self-winding
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]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • self-winding — [self′wīn′diŋ] adj. wound automatically, as certain wristwatches with internal winding mechanisms activated by external motion, as by normal arm movements …   English World dictionary

  • self-winding — self wind|ing [ˌselʃ ˈwaındıŋ] adj a self winding watch is one that you do not have to ↑wind to make it work …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • self-winding — adjective Date: 1825 not needing to be wound by hand < a self winding watch > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • self-winding — adjective a self winding watch is one that you do not have to wind 3 to make it work …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • self-winding — /self wuyn ding/, adj. (of a timepiece) kept wound or wound periodically by a mechanism, as an electric motor or a system of weighted levers, so that winding by hand is not necessary. [1880 85] * * * …   Universalium

  • self-winding — winding automatically (about a watch) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • self-winding — self′ wind′ing adj. hor (of a timepiece) wound by a mechanism, as an electric motor or a system of weighted levers • Etymology: 1880–85 …   From formal English to slang

  • self-winding — Synonyms and related words: automated, automatic, automatous, cybernated, self acting, self active, self adjusting, self closing, self controlled, self cooking, self directed, self directing, self dumping, self governed, self governing, self… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • self-winding — /sɛlf ˈwaɪndɪŋ/ (say self wuynding) adjective (of a clock or watch) winding itself automatically by a motor, by its wearer s movements, or the like …  

  • self-winding — adj. (of a watch etc.) having an automatic winding apparatus …   Useful english dictionary

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