Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
Order by: alphabetical | chronological
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| interspace n. (1928) | any of various types of space, as hyperspace or subspace, subject to different physical laws than our own |
| interspace adj. (1928) | of, in, or through that part of space that is far away from planets or stars; = deep-space adj. |
| 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. |
| jump v. (1952) | to journey through hyperspace n.; to engage in any (nearly) instantaneous travel over a long distance; cf. jump n. |
| jump drive n. (1959) | a spacecraft drive that enables a ship to journey through hyperspace or to engage in any instantaneous (long-distance) travel; cf. jump n., jump v. |
| jump engine n. (1981) | = jump drive n. |
| jump gate n. (1966) | a device that opens up a portal into hyperspace n., or otherwise enables (nearly) instantaneous travel; the gateway thus opened up; cf. gate n. |