Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction

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First date Word Definition
1954 Ellisonian adj. (1954) of, relating to, or characteristic of the writing of Harlan Ellison
1954 fillo n. (1954) a small illustration used to fill space, esp. in a fanzine
1954 genetic engineer n. (1954) a scientist who works in the field of genetic engineering n.
1954 hobbitlike adj. (1954) like a hobbit
1954 mindlink n. (1954) a telepathic connection between people; cf. mind-meld n.
1954 near-future adj. (1954) denoting a subgenre of science fiction set in a future recognizably similar to a contemporary setting, having only moderate differences in technology
1954 posthuman n. (1954) a (hypothetical) descendant of humans who is sufficiently different from present-day humans in form or capabilities to be regarded as a new species or otherwise fundamentally different from present-day humans; (also) a human who has been genetically or bionically augmented; cf. earlier posthuman adj.
1954 precog n. 1 (1954) a person with precognitive abilities; cf. earlier precog v.
1954 precog n. 2 (1954) precognition; foreknowledge, esp. as a form of extrasensory perception; cf. precog n. 1 and earlier precog v.
1954 slugthrower n. (1954) a weapon that fires a physical projectile, in contrast to an energy weapon n.
1954 temporal paradox n. (1954) = time paradox n.
1954 three vee n. (1954) a device capable of transmitting or displaying a (moving) three dimensional image
1954 timequake n. (1954) a sudden significant disturbance in the continuity of time; cf. time storm n., time-slip n.
1954 Tolkienian adj. (1954) of or pertaining to J.R.R. Tolkien or his writings; cf. Tolkienesque adj.
1954 tri-v n. (1954) a device or system capable of recording, transmitting, or displaying a (moving) three dimensional image; such a system as a form of entertainment
1954 trufan n. (1954) a science fiction fan who adheres to the ideals and practices of fandom
1954 trufandom n. (1954) the state of being a trufan; excellence in fannish behavior
1954 Tuckerism n. (1954) using the name of a real person as a name of a character in a work of fiction; an instance of this
1954 xenobiologist n. (1954) a specialist in xenobiology n.
1954 xenobiology n. (1954) the study of the biology of extraterrestrial life forms
1953 Bonestellian adj. (1953) of, relating to, or characteristic of the art of Chesley Bonestell, esp. in featuring accurate depictions of astronomical objects
1953 cityship n. (1953) a large spacecraft having the size or complexity of a city
1953 dirtside adv. (1953) on or to the surface of a planet (as opposed to in space)
1953 dystopian adj. (1953) of or pertaining to a dystopia n. 2
1953 Earthan adj. (1953) = Earthian adj.
1953 Earthside n. (1953) a group or department based on Earth; Earth itself
1953 eetee n. (1953) = ET n.
1953 filk n. (1953) a type of popular music, commonly performed at fan conventions, characterized by the use of familiar or traditional songs whose lyrics have been rewritten or parodied (usually on themes drawn from science fiction or fantasy literature)
1953 filk song n. (1953) a song in the filk style
1953 Hugo n. (1953) any of several awards presented annually at the World Science Fiction Convention for excellence in science fiction or fantasy writing, art, publishing, etc.
1953 mainstream adj. (1953) belonging to or characteristic of the dominant or traditional literary modes, especially representational fiction
1953 nova bomb n. (1953) an extremely powerful nuclear bomb
1953 null-g n. (1953) (as adjective) relating to, producing, or designed for a condition of zero gravity; (as noun) zero gravity: the state or condition in which there is no apparent force of gravity acting on a body, either because the force is locally weak, or because both the body and its surroundings are freely and equally accelerating under gravity; (also) a device or system that negates the force of gravity; cf. slightly earlier null-grav n.
1953 off-planet adv. (1953) away from a particular planet; towards or on another planet; in or into space
1953 planet-hop v. (1953) to travel from one planet to another, esp. in short trips; cf. slightly earlier planet-hopper n. 1
1953 relaxacon n. (1953) a science fiction convention with few or no organized activities or fixed programs
1953 robotically adv. 2 (1953) by means of a robot or robotics