Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction

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First date Word Definition
1950 Rigellian n. 2 (1950) the language of Rigellians
1950 robotic n. (1950) a robot; a robotic device
1950 saucerman n. (1950) a being that travels in a flying saucer; = [[2038]saucerian]]
1950 science fantasy n. 4 (1950) a genre of science fiction characterized by phenomena which are thought to be scientifically impossible (such as time travel or ftl drives); soft science fiction n.; (also) a work in this genre
1950 science-fictionalized adj. (1950) that has been made science fictional adj. in character
1950 space shuttle n. (1950) = shuttle n.
1950 spindizzy n. (1950) in James Blish’s City in Flight series: a faster-than-light antigravity drive powered by a field that alters the magnetic rotation of atoms
1950 starport n. (1950) a place where (interstellar) spacecraft can take off and land; = spaceport n.
1950 teleporter n. 2 (1950) a device for teleporting; = teleport n. 1
1950 time police n. (1950) officers who regulate time travel or other time-related phenomena; (specif.) officers who travel through time to attempt to prevent the past from being changed; a (government) body responsible for time-related phenomena
1950 time war n. (1950) = changewar n.
1950 torch n. (1950) = torch drive n.
1950 tri-D n. (1950) a device or system capable of transmitting or displaying a three dimensional image or video; (also) a three-dimensional image or video; cf. slightly earlier three-D n.
1950 xenological adj. (1950) of, or relating to, xenology
1949 Campbellian adj. (1949) of, relating to, or characteristic of the writing that appeared in the magazines edited by John W. Campbell, esp. in featuring heroic characters in technologically advanced scenarios
1949 Earthside adj. (1949) of, relating to, or from Earth
1949 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
1949 fugghead n. (1949) a stupid, obnoxious, or incompetent person
1949 fuggheaded adj. (1949) stupid; obnoxious; incompetent
1949 fuggheadedness n. (1949) the quality of being stupid, obnoxious, or incompetent
1949 galaxy-wide adv. (1949) throughout a galaxy
1949 gee n. 1 (1949) a measure of gravitation or acceleration
1949 newspeak n. (1949) the artificial language used for official propaganda in the dystopia of Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty-Four; (hence) any form of English regarded as dishonest, corrupt, etc.; esp. ambiguous or euphemistic language as used in official pronouncements or political propaganda
1949 nova v. (1949) to cause to become a nova; to destroy (a star, planet, etc.); (intransitive): (of a star) to become a nova; (more generally, of a star, planet, etc.) to explode
1949 Orwellian adj. (1949) characteristic or suggestive of the writings of George Orwell, esp. of the totalitarian state depicted in his dystopian account of the future, Nineteen Eighty-four (1949)
1949 out-system adj. (1949) of or relating to another solar system; outside of a solar system; cf. in-system adj.
1949 overmind n. (1949) a single, non-material consciousness composed of the consciousnesses of a large number of beings
1949 plastiskin n. (1949) synthetic skin
1949 prespace adj. (1949) = pre-spaceflight adj.
1949 science-fictioner n. (1949) a science fiction film or TV show
1949 Sirian n. 2 (1949) the language of Sirians
1949 skimmer n. (1949) any of various small vehicles that fly relatively close to the ground, esp. by means of an anti-gravity propulsion system
1949 space probe n. (1949) an unmanned spacecraft used esp. for research or reconnaissance
1949 stun-gun v. (1949) to shoot with a stun gun n.