Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction

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Word Definition
gravitics n. 1 (1944) the science of studying or controlling gravity
gravitics n. 2 (1982) any of various devices making use of gravity or gravitational waves, as (a) sensors that use gravitational waves to detect objects in space; (b) a system that creates artificial gravity
gravitied adj. 1 (1940) having gravity (of a specified strength or type)
gravitied adj. 2 (1979) having artificial gravity
graviton n. (1929) a subatomic particle thought of as propagating the action of gravitational force
gravitonic adj. (1929) of or relating to gravitons
gravity n. (1930) = gee n. 2
gravity drive n. (1932) a spaceship drive that uses any technology associated with gravity
gravity plate n. (1930) a device that creates or nullifies the effects of gravity
gravity screen n. (1926) a device that creates or prevents the effects of gravity; the effect of such a device
gravity well n. (1952) the area of space near a large mass (such as a planet or star) in which significant energy must be expended in order to counteract the object’s gravitational pull; the gravitational pull exerted by a large body in space
grimdark n. (2008) a subgenre of (esp. fantasy) fiction characterized by a nihilistic, violent, and dystopian atmosphere or setting
gripping hand n. (1986) on the gripping hand: used to introduce a third point of view, fact, case, etc., that contrasts with two previous statements
grok v. (1961) to perceive or understand fully; to feel empathy with; to enjoy, appreciate
groundcar n. (1930) a car incapable of flight (in contrast with an aircar n.)
groundhog n. (1940) a person who does not regularly travel in space
groundlubber n. (1939) = groundhog n.
groundside adv. (1951) = planetside adv.
group mind n. (1930) a collective intelligence composed of individual intelligences combined into a larger whole; hive mind n.
gynoid n. (1979) a robot having female or feminine characteristics; = robotrix n.
gyrobus n. (1933) a bus powered by a gyroscopic flywheel; (also) a flying bus
gyrocab n. (1942) a flying taxi
Hamiltonian adj. (1939) of, relating to, or characteristic of the writing of Edmond Hamilton
hard science fiction n. (1957) science fiction that does not violate known scientific laws; science fiction based or focused on the hard sciences
heat ray n. (1897) = ray n.
Heinleinian adj. (1956) of, relating to, or characteristic of the writing of Robert Heinlein
helicab n. (1943) a helicopter serving as a taxi
hell planet n. (1932) a planet regarded as dangerous or unpleasant, esp. one having climate conditions that are inhospitable for humans
heroic fantasy n. (1961) = sword and sorcery n.
high fantasy n. (1971) a subgenre of fantasy set in an imaginary world, typically having a medieval-style society and level of technology, usually featuring a quest or a conflict between Good and Evil, and often written in an elevated style
hive mind n. (1943) = group mind n.
hobbit-hole n. (1974) a hobbit’s house; any small cozy house
hobbitish adj. (No cites) resembling a hobbit, hobbit-like
hobbitlike adj. (1954) like a hobbit
hobbitry n. (1944) the cult of hobbits; hobbits collectively, or their qualities
holo n. (1970) a hologram; a device that displays holograms; holograms as a form of entertainment
holocam n. (1968) a device that takes holographic images
holocamera n. (1975) = holocam n.
holodeck n. (1987) chiefly in the fictional universe of the Star Trek franchise: a room providing a holographic environment