automaton

• Nom désignant un mécanisme capable de se mouvoir automatiquement, ou une personne qui agit de manière mécanique, sans participation consciente ou émotionnelle.

A noun referring to a mechanism that can move automatically, or a person who acts in a mechanical or apathetic way.

1. Mechanical beingB2formal

   A self-operating machine or mechanism that performs tasks automatically, often resembling a human or animal.

   Automate mécanique

   • The museum displayed an antique automaton that could write.
   • Engineers built an automaton to assemble small parts.
   • The clock tower features an automaton that strikes the hour.

   Synonymesandroidmachinemechanical manrobot

2. Unthinking personB2formal

   A person who acts in a mechanical, routine, or unemotional manner, as if without free will.

   Personne mécanique

   • After years of repetitive work, he became an automaton.
   • She answered the questions like an automaton, without any emotion.
   • The crowd moved like automatons through the factory gates.

   Synonymesdrudgemachinepuppetrobotsleepwalker