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having the capability of starting, operating, moving, etc., independently:
an automatic sprinkler system; an automatic car wash.
physiology. occurring independently of volition, as certain muscular actions; involuntary.
done unconsciously or from force of habit; mechanical:
an automatic application of the brakes.
occurring spontaneously:
automatic enthusiasm.
(of a firearm, pistol, etc.) utilizing the recoil or part of the force of the explosive to eject the spent cartridge sh-ll, introduce a new cartridge, c-ck the arm, and fire it repeatedly.
a machine that operates automatically.
automatic rifle.
automatic pistol.
football. audible (def 2).
automatic pilot.
automatic transmission.
an automobile equipped with automatic transmission.
on automatic, being operated or controlled by or as if by an automatic device.
contemporary examples

you know the facebook ‘a look back’ feature that automatically selects highlights of your facebook life?
prince harry’s facebook movie (spoof) tom sykes february 6, 2014

first there’s the scram system, it automatically ejects the control rods into the core and shuts the plant down.
j-pan nuclear fallout: how bad could it get? josh dzieza march 11, 2011

this man, your oppressor, is automatically morally defeated, and if he has any conscience, he is ashamed.
alex haley’s 1965 playboy interview with rev. martin luther king jr. alex haley january 18, 2014

and no journalist who has ever quoted an anonymous source should automatically -ssume that he is.
harry reid is vilified by a press corps that tolerates much worse from the right mich-lle goldberg august 6, 2012

this kabuki dance propelling some right and others just as automatically left should become more free form.
why the hagel trial balloon popped gil troy december 24, 2012

historical examples

kimberley was automatically relieved; cronje was on the run.
south africa and the transvaal war, vol. iv (of 6) louis creswicke

he is not automatically a gentleman, but at least he has become capable of learning how to be one.
dead giveaway gordon randall garrett

an automatically controlled ship was sent ahead, and began the bombardment.
the ultimate weapon john wood campbell

automatically she gives him his bath, his m-ssage, his run in the park.
once a week alan alexander milne

persons in this cl-ss, on stepping into your machine, automatically transfer all their money troubles to you.
of all things robert c. benchley

adjective
performed from force of habit or without conscious thought; lacking spontaneity; mechanical: an automatic smile

(of a device, mechanism, etc) able to activate, move, or regulate itself
(of an act or process) performed by such automatic equipment

(of the action of a muscle, gland, etc) involuntary or reflex
occurring as a necessary consequence: promotion is automatic after a year
(of a firearm)

utilizing some of the force of or gas from each explosion to eject the empty sh-ll case, replace it with a new one, and fire continuously until release of the trigger compare semiautomatic (sense 2)
short for semiautomatic (sense 2) see also machine (sense 5)

noun
an automatic firearm
a motor vehicle having automatic transmission
a machine that operates automatically
adv.

1834, “involuntarily, unconsciously;” see automatic + -ly (2).
adj.

“self-acting, moving or acting on its own,” 1812, from greek automatos, used of the gates of olympus and the tripods of hephaestus (also “without apparent cause, by accident”), from autos “self” (see auto-) + matos “thinking, animated” (see automaton). of involuntary animal or human actions, from 1748, first used in this sense by english physician and philosopher david hartley (1705-1757). in reference to a type of firearm, from 1877; specifically of machinery that imitates human-directed action from 1940.
n.

“automatic weapon,” 1902, from automatic (adj.). meaning “motorized vehicle with automatic transmission” is from 1949.