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cy·ber·net·ics

(sī′bər-nĕtĭks)

n. (used with a sing. verb)

The theoretical study of communication and control processes in biological, mechanical, and electronic systems, especially the comparison of these processes in biological and artificial systems.

[From Greek kubernētēs, steersman, pilot, governor, from kubernān, to steer, pilot, govern, of unknown origin.]

cy′ber·netic adj.

cy′ber·neti·cal·ly adv.

cy′ber·neti·cist, cy′ber·ne·tician (-nĭ-tĭshən) n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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