Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction

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First date Word Definition
1944 alternate world n. (1944) one of many possible universes, which may have different physical laws or a different history than our own; esp. = parallel universe n.
1944 alternative universe n. (1944) = alternate world n.
1944 completism n. (1944) the desire to have or collect a complete set of something
1944 egoboo n. (1944) the gratification of seeing one’s name in print
1944 fanarchistic adj. (1944) preferring to avoid organized forms of fandom
1944 gravitics n. 1 (1944) the science of studying or controlling gravity
1944 hobbitry n. (1944) the culture or behaviour of hobbits; hobbits collectively, or their qualities
1944 Law of Robotics n. (1944) in the writing of Isaac Asimov: each of three (later sometimes four) rules devised to govern the behaviour of robots
1944 Lovecraftian n. (1944) a devotee or follower of H.P. Lovecraft
1944 moonport n. (1944) a spaceport on the Moon
1944 neofan n. (1944) a newly recruited or newly active fan
1944 out-planet adj. (1944) = outworld adj.
1944 planet-bound adj. (1944) unable or unwilling to leave a planet
1944 slidewalk n. (1944) a moving pavement
1944 space-born adj. 2 (1944) (of something non-living) developed or created in space, rather than on a planet; originating in space
1944 starbase n. (1944) an outpost in space, or on a planet remote from the homeworld, used to facilitate military, governmental, or commercial activities
1944 stfdom n. (1944) the realm of science fiction
1944 teleport v. 2 (1944) intransitive to transport oneself instantaneously from one place to another; to travel by teleportation; (also) to be transported in this way, esp. by means of an advanced technological device
1944 Terran n. 2 (1944) a common language spoken on Earth or by Earthlings
1944 unhuman n. (1944) an intelligent nonhuman entity; alien n.; cf. non-human n.
1943 alternative world n. (1943) = alternate world n.
1943 atomics n. 2 (1943) atomic weapons
1943 Centaurian n. 2 (1943) the language of Centaurians
1943 Earthian n. 2 (1943) a language spoken on Earth, esp. a universal language spoken widely by Earth people
1943 elsewhen n. (1943) (in time-travel contexts) another time
1943 everywhen adv. (1943) (in time-travel contexts) in or to all points in time
1943 fannishness n. (1943) the quality of being fannish
1943 Gernsbackian adj. (1943) of, relating to, or characteristic of Hugo Gernsback, and esp. of the writing that appeared in the magazines he edited, esp. in featuring extensive discussions of scientific or technological issues
1943 helicab n. (1943) a helicopter serving as a taxi
1943 hooman n. (1943) a human (used by, or in (implied) reference to, non-humans)
1943 kryptonite n. (1943) in the fictional world of the comic book hero Superman: a substance that renders Superman weak when he is exposed to it; (hence, in figurative or allusive use) something that can weaken or damage a particular person or thing; an Achilles heel
1943 mag- prefix (1943) magnetic
1943 needle v. (1943) to fire a needle gun or needle-beam at
1943 offworld adv. (1943) away from Earth, or any place treated within a given fictional context as the native world; on or towards another world or planet
1943 out-planet n. (1943) = outworld n.
1943 probability world n. (1943) an alternate universe, viewed as one of many such which have differing probabilities of existing