Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
Order by: alphabetical | chronological
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| multisystem adj. (1997) | of or involving more than one star system |
| multiversal adj. (1963) | of or pertaining to a multiverse n. 1 |
| multiverse n. 1 (1963) | a space or realm of being consisting of a number of universes, of which our own universe is only one; cf. parallel universe n. |
| multiverse n. 2 (1973) | in figurative use: a sphere of very varied possibility, such as the mind or the imagination |
| mundane n. 1 (1946) | a non-imaginative story |
| mundane n. 2 (1963) | a person who is not a science-fiction fan; an outsider |
| mundane n. 3 (1977) | a person without supernatural powers |
| mundane adj. 1 (1945) | belonging or relating to the world which lies outside the sphere of interest of a particular group of enthusiasts (used esp. among science fiction fans, originally of mainstream fiction) |
| mundane adj. 2 (2004) | denoting a subgenre of science fiction characterized by a rejection of themes considered scientifically implausible (as faster-than-light travel, alternate universes, etc.) |
| murderbot n. (2006) | a robot or cyborg designed chiefly to inflict violence |
| mutant n. (1934) | a being that has arisen by genetic mutation, esp. one with freakish or exceptional anatomy, abilities, etc. |
| mutation n. (1941) | an organism (occ. a human) that has arisen by genetic mutation; mutant n. |
| mutie n. (1941) | = mutant n. |
| NAFAL adj. (1969) | of space travel: at relativistic speed; of a spaceship: capable of travelling at relativistic speed |
| nanite n. (1989) | a nanomachine designed to build other nanomachines; a self-reproducing nanorobot |
| nano n. (1987) | = nanotechnology n.; (also) = nanobot n. |
| nanobot n. (1989) | a nanoscale self-propelled machine, esp. one that has some degree of autonomy and can reproduce; cf. slightly earlier nanorobot n. |
| nanomachine n. (1986) | a nanotechnological machine |
| nanorobot n. (1988) | = nanobot n. |
| nanotech n. (1990) | = nanotechnology n. |
| nanotech adj. (1987) | = nanotechnological adj. |
| nanotechnological adj. (1986) | resulting from developments in nanotechnology; of or relating to nanotechnology |
| nanotechnologist n. (No cites) | an expert or specialist in nanotechnology |
| nanotechnology n. (1974) | the branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of 0.1 to 100 nanometres, or, generally, with the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules |
| 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 |
| nearside n. (1974) | the part of a moon that faces the planet it orbits; cf. farside n. |
| Nebula n. (1966) | any of several awards given annually by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America for excellence in science fiction and fantasy writing |
| needle v. (1943) | to fire a needle gun or needle-beam at |
| needle-beam n. (1930) | a weapon producing a very narrow beam of energy; the beam produced by such a weapon |
| needle gun n. (1932) | a gun that produces a very narrow beam of energy; (also) a gun that fires small slivers of metal |
| needle pistol n. (1933) | a handheld needle gun n. |
| needler n. (1937) | = needle gun n.; (also) a person who who operates such a weapon |
| needle-ray n. (1931) | = needle-beam n. |