Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
Order by: alphabetical | chronological
Word | Definition |
---|---|
inertial dampener n. (1998) | = inertial damper n. |
inertial damper n. (1992) | a device or system that partially negates the effects of inertia, used especially to protect those on board a spaceship from the effects of rapid changes in acceleration |
infodump n. (1978) | a large (often unwieldy or indigestible) amount of information supplied all at once; spec. as background or descriptive information in a narrative |
infodumping n. (1995) | the practice of using infodump n. in literature |
inhuman n. (1926) | a nonhuman being; cf. alien n. |
inhuman adj. (1930) | not human; alien |
inner space n. (1920) | the human mind; the innermost parts of oneβs psyche |
insectoid n. (1937) | an insect-like alien |
insectoid adj. (1950) | (esp. of an alien) insect-like |
insectoidal adj. (1956) | = insectoid adj. |
in-system adj. (1968) | of or relating to the area within a solar system; operating only within a solar system; cf. intersystem adj., out-system adj. |
in-system adv. (1961) | in or into a solar system; toward the center of a solar system; cf. out-system adv. |
intergalactic adj. (1888) | situated between galaxies; of, pertaining to, or occupying the regions between galaxies |
intergalactically adv. (1959) | between or among galaxies; (broadly) (used as an intensive), extremely, incredibly |
interplanetary n. (1927) | a story about interplanetary travel |
intersystem adj. (1941) | (esp. of transportation or communication) occurring between solar systems |
interworld adj. (1937) | between or occurring between planets |
ion drive n. (1947) | a spacecraft propulsion system that uses electrically accelerated ions |
ion gun n. (1935) | an energy weapon that emits ions |
ish n. (1937) | an issue or edition in a series; spec. an issue of a magazine, esp. (in early use) a fanzine |
jack in v. (1970) | to connect one's brain directly to a computer or cybernetic device by means of a cybernetically implanted data jack |
jaunt v. (1956) | esp. in reference to teleportation by psychic rather than technological means: = teleport v. 1; = teleport v. 2 |
Jedi n. (1973) | in the fictional universe of the Star Wars franchise: a member of an order of heroic, skilled warrior monks who are able to harness the mystical power of the Force. Also in extended and allusive use; esp. someone (humorously) credited with great skill or preternatural powers. Also more fully Jedi knight, Jedi master |
Jedi mind trick n. (1981) | in the fictional universe of the Star Wars franchise: a telepathic technique of psychological manipulation used by the Jedi |
jet car n. (1946) | a form of aircar powered by jets |
jet pack n. (1952) | a device, worn over the shoulders like a backpack, that enables the wearer to travel through the air or in space by means of jet propulsion |
Jonbar adj. (1977) | in time-travel or alternate-history contexts: denoting a point at which a (trivial) action can result in a significantly different timeline (chiefly in form Jonbar hinge, Jonbar point) |
Jovian n. 1 (1869) | a native or inhabitant of the planet Jupiter |
Jovian n. 2 (1932) | the language of Jovians |
Jovian adj. (1799) | of or relating to the planet Jupiter |
jump n. (1932) | a journey through hyperspace n.; any (nearly) instantaneous travel over a large distance; cf. jump v. |