self-acting

American  

[self-ak-ting] / ˈsɛlfˈæk tɪŋ /

adjective

1. acting by itself; automatic.

---

self-acting British  

adjective

1. not requiring an external influence or control to function; automatic

---

Other Word Forms

• self-action noun

Etymology

Origin of self-acting

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

Its new rule said bump stocks were illegal machine guns because they function as “a self-acting or self-regulating mechanism that allows the firing of multiple rounds through a single function of the trigger.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2024

It said the bump stock device functions as “a self-acting or self-regulating mechanism that allows the firing of multiple rounds through a single pull of the trigger.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2023

Next to the hand slide rest lathe comes the self-acting or engine lathe.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua

The self-acting lathe, or engine lathe, implying that there is a slide rest actuated automatically to traverse the tool to its cut or feed.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua

These rests may be operated singly or simultaneously, and by hand or by a self-acting motion provided as follows:—A screw running parallel to the cone spindle is driven by suitable gearing from the cone spindle.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua