Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction

Order by: alphabetical | chronological



Word Definition
energy rifle n. (1934) an energy gun in the form of a long shoulder weapon
energy screen n. (1932) a barrier made of or against energy; a force field n.
energy vampire n. (1967) a being that feeds on energy (in various senses)
energy weapon n. (1941) a weapon that fires a beam of energy; cf. earlier energy gun n.
epic fantasy n. (1961) = high fantasy n.; = sword and sorcery n.
escape pod n. (1976) a small, minimally equipped spacecraft for emergency use; = lifeboat n.
escape ship n. (1932) = lifeboat n.; lifeship n.
esp v. (1949) to use extrasensory powers (on); as: to communicate with (a person) telepathically; to send (a message) telepathically; to analyze (a person, place, etc.) using extrasensory powers
esper n. (1942) a person or being with extrasensory powers
ET n. (1939) = alien n.
ether radio n. (1930) a device for communicating over long distances through the ether; cf. sub-ether n.
ether ship n. (1883) a spaceship
Europan n. 1 (1930) a native or inhabitant of the Jovian moon Europa
Europan n. 2 (1930) the language of Europans
Europan adj. (1931) of or relating to the Jovian moon Europa or its inhabitants
everywhen n. (1942) (in time-travel contexts) all points in time
everywhen adv. (1943) (in time-travel contexts) in or to all points in time
extra-terrestial adj. (1856) = extraterrestrial adj.; cf. terrestial adj.
extraterrestrial n. (1939) an (intelligent) being that is not from Earth
extraterrestrial adj. (1854) existing or originating outside Earth or its atmosphere
eyetracks n. (1949) imaginary marks left on something (esp. a book or periodical) by the act of looking at it
faan n. (1951) a science fiction fan, esp. one regarded as non-serious, or devoted more to fandom than to science fiction itself; cf. sercon adj.
faanish adj. (1951) of or relating to fandom, esp. on a superficial level; typical of a faan n.
face plate n. (1930) the transparent window of a spacesuit’s helmet
fan v. (1941) to participate in fandom; cf. slightly earlier fanning n.
fanac n. (1952) participation in fandom, such as publishing fanzines, attending conferences, or writing letters to fanzines
fanarchist n. (1942) a fan who shuns organized fandom; a fan who believes in fanarchy n.
fanarchistic adj. (1944) preferring to avoid organized forms of fandom
fanarchy n. (1942) a juxtaposition of fandom and anarchy; (specif. and usu.) an opposition to organized fandom; a preference for individual or small-group fan activities
fanboy n. (1919) a male fan (in later use chiefly of comics, film, music, or science fiction), esp. an obsessive one
fandom n. (1936) science-fiction fans collectively; the state or attitude of being a science-fiction fan
fanette n. (1941) a female fan; = fanne n.
fanfic n. (1968) = fan fiction n.
fan fiction n. (1938) fiction written by a fan rather than a professional author, esp. that based on already-existing characters from a television series, book, film, etc.; (also) a piece of such writing
fan film n. (1956) a movie made by a fan; audiovisual fan fiction n.