The state or quality of being automatic; the power of self-moving; automatic, mechanical, or involuntary action.

A theory as to the activity of matter.

Actions taken during a state of unconsciousness; a rarely used criminal defense.

automatic actions or behavior without conscious volition or knowledge. Such episodes might last for a few minutes or a few days. During such episodes, the person appears normal but, is actually in a trance like state. While in such a state the person is not responsible for his acts and should not be left alone. He may carry out complicated acts without remembering having done so. Such episodes have been associated with severe emotional distress and temporal motor epilepsy.