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automatism

Definition of automatism

noun

[mass noun] Psychiatry
  • the performance of actions without conscious thought or intention: diabetic patients who commit crimes while hypoglycaemic may be able to plead automatism
  • [count noun] an action performed unconsciously or involuntarily: automatisms occurred in all four epileptic syndromes
  • Art the avoidance of conscious intention in producing works of art, especially by using mechanical techniques or subconscious associations.

Origin:

mid 19th century: from French automatisme, from automate 'automaton', from Greek automatos 'acting of itself' (see automaton)

automatism in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of automatism in the US English dictionary
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