Langimage
English

robot

|ro/bot|

B2

🇺🇸

/ˈroʊˌbɑt/

🇬🇧

/ˈrəʊbɒt/

programmable machine

Etymology
Etymology Information

'robot' originates from Czech, specifically the word 'robota,' where 'robota' meant 'forced labor or drudgery.'

Historical Evolution

'robota' was introduced into English through the play 'R.U.R.' (Rossum's Universal Robots) by Karel Čapek in 1920, eventually becoming the modern English word 'robot.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'forced labor or drudgery,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a programmable machine.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically, especially one programmable by a computer.

The factory uses robots to assemble cars.

Synonyms

Noun 2

a person who behaves in a mechanical or unemotional manner.

He worked like a robot, never taking a break.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/21 02:22