robot (ˈrəʊbɒt
)
Definitions
noun
- any automated machine programmed to perform specific mechanical functions in the manner of a man
- (modifier) not controlled by man; automatic ⇒
a robot pilot
- a person who works or behaves like a machine; automaton
- South Africa a set of traffic lights
Alternative Forms
roˈbotic adjective ˈrobotism ˈrobotry noun ˈrobot-ˌlike adjectiveWord Origin
C20: (used in R.U.R. , a play by Karel Čapek) from Czech robota work; related to Old Slavonic rabota servitude, German Arbeit workQuotations
"The three fundamental Rules of Robotics... One, a robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm... Two... a robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First law... Three, a robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws"
Translations
- British English:
robot
A robot is a machine which moves and performs certain tasks automatically....very lightweight robots that we could send to the moon.ˈrəʊbɒt NOUN ...very lightweight robots that we could send to the moon.
- Spanish:
robot
nm
- French:
robot
nm
- German:
Roboter
nm Roboter
- Chinese: 机器人 n
- Arabic: إِنْسانٌ آلِيّ n
- Portuguese: robô nm
- Russian: робот nm
- Croatian: robot nm
- Czech: robot nm
- Danish: robot nutr
- Dutch: robot nm
- Finnish: robotti n
- Greek: ρομπότ nnt
- Italian: robot nm
- Japanese: ロボット n
- Korean: 로봇 n
- Norwegian: robot nm
- Polish: robot nm
- Brazilian Portuguese: robô nm
- European Spanish:
robot
nm
- Swedish: robot nutr
- Thai: หุ่นยนต์ n
- Turkish: robot n
- Vietnamese: người máy n
Usage examples
The drunk Finn was anaesthetised to become a robot , a creature who smiled and talked but was a million miles away.
, JUST BETWEEN US (2002)The robot then uses differential GPS to log the positions of the weeds.
New Scientist (2003)Its low rim shouldn't block the rolling robot once it gets going, Squyres said.
canada.com (2004)Sounds like a blatant plug for the robot footy tournament, RoboCup, currently taking place in Seattle, to us.
Sun, News of the World (2001)There are now many kinds of robotic pets in Japan, from a robot human with `real emotions' to a robot jellyfish.
, AUTHENTICITY: Brands, Fakes, Spin and the Lust for Real Life (2003)