Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
Of auto- (“oneself”) + -maniac (“one who experiences obsession”). Attested from the 19th century.
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| automaniacs | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Of auto (“automobile”) + -maniac (“one who experiences obsession”). Attested from the early 20th century. Compare automania.
There seems to be need of a term to designate these new terrors of our streets, those speed crazed paranoiacs who are now doing so much to bring the automobile into disrepute.[…] The word “automaniac,” suggested by The Horseless Age, seems quite appropriate[…] Why not adopt the name “automania” for the disease and the automaniac to designate the person afflicted by it?1902, “The Automaniac”, in Massachusetts Medical Journal, page 551:
A foolish dissipation, ending in broken rest, depleted purses, broken laws, broken automobiles, and broken bones.[…] Is the cost not heavy enough to bring even an automaniac to his senses?1902 July 23, “Record Breaking ‘Tours’”, in The Horseless Age, volume 10, page 81:
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| automaniacs | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
pl automaniak (an enthusiast of automobiles and motoring) · pl automaniaczka (an enthusiast of automobiles and motoring)