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automatique

automatic

adjective oh-toh-mah-TEEK Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Quality

Origin: Greek automatos (self-moving)

Usage Note

automatique is used both technically (an arme automatique is an automatic weapon; une boîte automatique is an automatic gearbox) and figuratively for something done without thinking. The adverb automatiquement is very common in everyday French. The noun un automatisme refers to an ingrained reflex or habit.

Examples

"La porte s'ouvre de façon automatique."

Natural Translation

The door opens automatically.

Literal Translation

The door opens in an automatic way.

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