(of a device or process) working by itself with little or no direct human control 自动的 an automatic kettle that switches itself off when it boils. 水烧开时会自动切断电源的自动水壶。 calibration is fully automatic. 口径测定完全是自动的。 ■(of a firearm) self-loading and able to fire continuously until the ammunition is exhausted or the pressure on the trigger is released (武器)自动的 automatic weapons. 自动武器。 ■(of a motor vehicle or its transmission) using gears that change by themselves according to speed and acceleration (汽车或变速器)自动(变速)的 a four-speed automatic gearbox. 四速自动变速器。
done or occurring spontaneously, without conscious thought or attention 自然而然的;不经思索的 automatic physical functions such as breathing. 呼吸之类无意识的身体机能。 ‘Nice to meet you,’ he said, with automatic politeness. “很高兴见到你,”他自然而彬彬有礼地说道。 ■occurring as a matter of course and without debate 必然的 he is the automatic choice for the senior team. 他是高级组的必然人选。 ■(especially of a legal sanction) given or imposed as a necessary and inevitable result of a fixed rule or particular set of circumstances (尤指法律裁决)自动(执行)的 he received an automatic one-match suspension. 他被自动禁赛一场。
noun
an automatic machine or device, in particular 自动装置,尤指 ■a gun that continues firing until the ammunition is exhausted or the pressure on the trigger is released 自动手枪 ■a vehicle with automatic transmission 有自动变速装置的汽车
派生 automatically adverb automaticity noun 语源
mid 18th cent.: from Greek automatos 'acting of itself' (see automaton) + -ic