unmanned
UK: ʌnˈmænd | US: ʌnˈmænd
adj. operating without a human crew (e.g., unmanned vehicle)
adj. lacking human presence or control
The word "unmanned" combines the prefix "un-" (Old English "un-," meaning "not") with "man" (Old English "mann," meaning "human") and the suffix "-ed" (used to form adjectives). Originally, "man" referred broadly to humans, but over time, it became gendered. The term "unmanned" emerged in the early 17th century, initially describing ships or vehicles without a crew. With technological advancements, it now commonly refers to autonomous systems like drones or spacecraft. The logic is straightforward: "not human-operated."
The unmanned drone completed its surveillance mission flawlessly.
NASA launched an unmanned spacecraft to explore Mars.
The factory uses unmanned machinery for overnight production.
Unmanned submarines are vital for deep-sea research.
The military relies on unmanned vehicles for high-risk operations.