Meaning
A robot, especially one made with some physical resemblance to a human (an android).
Etymology
Origin: Unknown
Clipping of android (“robot designed to look and act like a human being”). Coined by the American science fiction author Mari Wolf (born 1926) in the story “Robots of the World! Arise!” (1952), and popularized by the film Star Wars (later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, 1977): see the quotations.
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 15 recorded puzzles:
- 2026-08-17ODGIPRY
- 2026-08-15OACDHIR
- 2026-08-03DFILORY
- 2026-06-20RDGINOW
- 2025-09-07DGINOPR
- 2025-05-09RDWLIOY
- 2025-03-24OALRIDB
- 2024-11-13IDMORTY
- 2024-10-03ODRIGNU
- 2024-03-24RALDCIO
- 2024-03-05IADLMOR
- 2024-02-26DAOIBLR
+3 earlier appearances in the archive.