automatic
n. countablen. a machine or tool that works by itself without a person needing to control it. In the world of cars, it is a vehicle that changes gears for you.
n. a device or mechanism that operates independently of external human intervention. In a mechanical context, it specifically refers to a motor vehicle equipped with a self-shifting transmission.
I prefer driving an automatic in heavy city traffic.
Since she never learned to use a clutch, she decided to rent an automatic for her road trip across the country.
While purists argue that manual transmissions offer superior control, the modern automatic has become so efficient that it now outperforms traditional gearboxes in both speed and fuel economy.
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ewder.? Proto-Indo-European *sóder.? Proto-Indo-European *h₂ewder. Ancient Greek αὖ (aû) Ancient Greek τόν (tón)? Ancient Greek αὐτός (autós) Ancient Greek αὐτο- (auto-) Proto-Indo-European *men- Proto-Indo-European *mn̥tós Proto-Hellenic *mətós Ancient Greek αὐτόμᾰτος (autómătos) Ancient Greek αὐτόμᾰτον (autómăton)der. Classical Latin automatum New Latin automaticusbor. English automatic Borrowed from New Latin automaticus, from Classical Latin automatum (“automaton”) + -icus (adjectival suffix), from Ancient Greek αὐτόματον (autómaton), neuter of αὐτόματος (autómatos, “self-moving, moving of oneself, self-acting, spontaneous”), from αὐτός (autós, “self, myself”) + μέμαα (mémaa, “to wish eagerly, strive, yearn, desire”). The original pronunciation, apparently with stress on the second syllable, was after the ultimate Greek base.
Often used to contrast with 'manual'.