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automatism

Syllabification: (au·tom·a·tism)
Pronunciation: /ôˈtäməˌtizəm/

Definition of automatism

noun

  • the performance of actions without conscious thought or intention.
  • Art the avoidance of conscious intention in producing works of art, especially by using mechanical techniques or subconscious associations.
  • an action performed unconsciously or involuntarily.

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 British & World English dictionary