robot

[roh-buh t, -bot] /ˈroʊ bət, -bɒt/
noun
1.
a machine that resembles a human and does mechanical, routine tasks on command.
2.
a person who acts and responds in a mechanical, routine manner, usually subject to another's will; automaton.
3.
any machine or mechanical device that operates automatically with humanlike skill.
adjective
4.
operating automatically:
a robot train operating between airline terminals.
Origin
< Czech, coined by Karel Čapek in the play R.U.R. (1920) from the base robot-, as in robota compulsory labor, robotník peasant owing such labor
Related forms
robotism, noun
robotic, robotistic
[roh-buh-tis-tik, -bo-] /ˌroʊ bəˈtɪs tɪk, -bɒ-/ (Show IPA), adjective
robotlike, adjective
Examples from the web for robots
  • This match had a very fast start, with both robots driving in to each other.
British Dictionary definitions for robots

robot

/ˈrəʊbɒt/
noun
1.
any automated machine programmed to perform specific mechanical functions in the manner of a man
2.
(modifier) not controlled by man; automatic: a robot pilot
3.
a person who works or behaves like a machine; automaton
4.
(South African) a set of traffic lights
Derived Forms
robotic, adjective
robotism, robotry, noun
robot-like, adjective
Word Origin
C20: (used in R.U.R., a play by Karel Čapek) from Czech robota work; related to Old Slavonic rabota servitude, German Arbeit work
Word Origin and History for robots

robot

n.

1923, from English translation of 1920 play "R.U.R." ("Rossum's Universal Robots"), by Karel Capek (1890-1938), from Czech robotnik "slave," from robota "forced labor, compulsory service, drudgery," from robotiti "to work, drudge," from an Old Czech source akin to Old Church Slavonic rabota "servitude," from rabu "slave," from Old Slavic *orbu-, from PIE *orbh- "pass from one status to another" (see orphan). The Slavic word thus is a cousin to German Arbeit "work" (Old High German arabeit). According to Rawson the word was popularized by Karel Capek's play, "but was coined by his brother Josef (the two often collaborated), who used it initially in a short story."

robots in Medicine

robot ro·bot (rō'bət, -bŏt')
n.

  1. A mechanical device that sometimes resembles a human and is capable of performing a variety of often complex human tasks on command or by being programmed in advance.

  2. A machine or device that operates automatically or by remote control.

  3. A person who works mechanically without original thought, especially one who responds automatically to the commands of others.

robots in Science
robot
  (rō'bŏt')   
A machine designed to replace human beings in performing a variety of tasks, either on command or by being programmed in advance.