auto
UKˈɔːtəʊUSˈɔːtoʊ
Meaning
1n
A car
Structure
word structure
1
auto
self
Usage
He took his auto to the mechanic for a tune-up.
The early 20th century saw a rapid increase in auto ownership.
She prefers the reliability of Japanese autos.
Etymology
The word 'auto' is a clipping of 'automobile', which itself derives from Greek. The Greek prefix 'autos' means 'self'. In the compound 'automobile', it combines with the Latin 'mobilis' (movable) to mean 'self-moving'. As a standalone noun, 'auto' retains this core idea of self-propulsion, specifically referring to a motor vehicle. Its journey from an ancient Greek adjective to a modern English noun exemplifies how technical compounds can be shortened into common, everyday terms.
Analysis
Structure
auto (self)=autoself
auto (from Greek 'autos', meaning 'self')