/ˈɹəʊ.bɒt/, /ˈɹəʊ.bət/, /ˈɹoʊ.bɑt/
OriginFrom German Robot, from a West Slavic language, ultimately related to Etymology 2, below.
- historical, uncountableA system of serfdom used in Central Europe, under which a tenant's rent was paid in forced labour.
““I say again, down with the robot!—he is a dog who yields it!””
“Although the robot varied from region to region, it was rarely less than burdensome.”
- An intelligent mechanical being designed to look like a human or other creature, and usually made from metal.
“Young Rossum invented a worker with a minimum amount of requirements. He had to simplify him. He rejected everything that did not contribute directly to the progress of work—everything that makes man ”
“The robots in Dick's novel, loosely adapted by Ridley Scott into the film Blade Runner, were so similar to humans that when they went rogue, trained bounty hunters were called in to perform psychologi”
- A machine built to carry out some complex task or group of tasks by physically moving, especially one which can be programmed.
“We have a robot in the house that does the vacuuming.”
“It's painfully slow and complex work which has never been attempted before in these conditions: the small box-shaped robots, equipped with two claws, are operating in almost freezing water 5,000ft bel”
“Compared to humanoids, industrial robots typically feature less advanced technology and perform less sophisticated tasks. They’re widely used in industrial settings for manufacturing or transportation”
- A bot, software designed to perform a task.
“Clifton Sellers attended a Zoom meeting last month where robots outnumbered humans.”
- figurativelyA person who does not seem to have any emotions or individuality.
“Straight society tries to change us by several means. Most of the time, it is mental torture, though physical abuse is not uncommon. We are programmed to be straight starting from the day we are born,”
“Yet surely he was a humorless robot of a man, spewing forth lonely and bitter critiques of all those lesser mortals with whom he could not identify.”
- South-AfricaA traffic light (from earlier robot policeman).
- A theodolite which follows the movements of a prism and can be used by a one-man crew.
- A style of dance popular in disco in which the dancer imitates the stiff movements of a stereotypical android robot.
- InternetA habitual poster on the /r9k/ board on 4chan; a member of the /r9k/ community.
“One anonymous message addressed to "fellow robots" hoped readers would have "an enjoyable Elliot Rodger day"—a reference to the shooter who killed six near a Santa Barbara university last year.”
“Posters on the board are locked in an ongoing debate about who can be one of them— a "robot." Can white guys be robots, despite their privilege? Can black guys? Women love them! It goes on and on. Onl”
“It continued: "On October 5, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. CT, a fellow robot will take up arms against a university near Philadelphia. His cries will be heard, his victims will cower in fear, and the strength of”
Formsrobots(plural)