Automaton

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Automaton" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a self-operating machine or a system that operates automatically. Example: "The factory implemented an automaton to streamline production." Alternative expressions include "robot," "machine," and "mechanism."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Murphy is often described as a consummate communicator, and in person he is far more fun, interesting and (apparently) open than the average party automaton.

The Guardian

Buck did not deny his behaviour but claimed a Zolpiden sleeping pill reacted violently with alcohol, turning him into a "non-insane automaton".

The Guardian

He should now inherit daddy's seat but he is being investigated for tax evasion.In this section The automaton goes on and on Tariffs and tortillas Wolf pack Stop all the clocks ReprintsHow can someone like Mr Lobão get such an important job?

The Economist

This was capable of recording the signals sent by 32 nerve cells at the same time.In this section Mind vs matter Drowning in data A cellular automaton Sex in a bottle ReprintsHe implanted his electrode arrays in the brains of half a dozen rats.

The Economist

Kitty Dukakis tried to dispel her husband's reputation as a robotic calculating machine by dubbing him her "passionate partner"; now Tipper loyally boasts about the sexual tiger lurking within her own besuited automaton.

The Economist

It hardly sounds like the basis for a new science, but in 1984 Mr Wolfram came across one cellular automaton, known as Rule 30, that produced chaotic, unpredictable output despite the simple rules that govern its operation.

The Economist

Otherwise theory is nothing more than post-hoc speculation.That said, one of the most impressive parts of the book is Mr Wolfram's guess that the universe might, in fact, be a giant cellular automaton at the subatomic level.

The Economist

Respected for his competence, he has all the charisma of an automaton.

The Economist

The men who made them, as Gaby Wood relates in "Living Dolls", were driven by the desire to play God.Jacques de Vaucanson, a French inventor, made his name in the 1730s by building a flute-playing automaton that (with the aid of a set of bellows) actually breathed.

The Economist

But nothing is as good as sex for stirring the pot.In this section Mind vs matter Drowning in data A cellular automaton Sex in a bottle ReprintsThat is why Pim Stemmer and his colleagues at Maxygen have been trying to reproduce a form of sexual exchange in a test tube.

The Economist

Engineers in Munich have built a pool-playing automaton that can pot five balls in a row.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "automaton" when referring to a self-operating machine or a person who acts mechanically. Consider whether "robot" or another synonym might be more appropriate for contemporary readers.

Common error

Avoid using "automaton" when "robot" or other terms are more common and easily understood by a modern audience. Using "automaton" in place of "robot" might sound stilted or archaic in casual contexts.

Linguistic Context

The noun "Automaton" functions primarily as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used to describe either a self-operating machine or a person acting mechanically. Examples show usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "Automaton" refers to a self-operating machine or a person who acts mechanically. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and sees frequent use across various contexts, especially in science and news media. While synonyms like "robot" are often more common in modern conversation, "Automaton" maintains relevance in specific technical or historical discussions. Be mindful of the audience when choosing between "Automaton" and more contemporary terms, and consider the nuance it can add to descriptions of mechanical or emotionless behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Robot

A machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically, especially one programmable by a computer; more commonly used than "automaton" in modern contexts.

Mechanical man

A more literal description of a man-like machine.

Self-operating machine

Emphasizes the autonomous function of the machine.

Automatic system

Highlights the systematic and automated nature of the process.

Mechanical device

Focuses on the mechanical aspect, rather than the automatic behavior.

Mechanism

Refers to the working parts of a machine, rather than the whole machine.

Android

Specifically denotes a robot with a human appearance.

Cyborg

Implies a combination of organic and mechanical parts.

Emotionless individual

Highlights the absence of emotional response.

Unfeeling person

Focuses on the lack of emotion or empathy in a person, mirroring one meaning of "automaton".

FAQs

How can I use "automaton" in a sentence?

You can use "automaton" to describe a self-operating machine or a person who acts mechanically, like in the sentence: "The factory implemented an automaton to streamline production."

What can I say instead of "automaton"?

You can use alternatives like "robot", "mechanical device", or "automatic system" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "automaton" or "robot"?

"Automaton" and "robot" are both correct, but "robot" is generally more common and widely understood in modern contexts. "Automaton" might be preferred in historical or technical contexts.

What's the difference between "automaton" and "android"?

While both terms refer to machines that operate automatically, an "android" specifically refers to a robot designed to resemble a human, whereas "automaton" is a more general term for any self-operating machine.