Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction

Order by: alphabetical | chronological



Word Definition
rocketport n. (1931) a place where rockets can take off and land; cf. spaceport n.
rocket-ship n. (1925) a spacecraft powered by rockets
romantasy n. (2008) a subgenre that combines elements of romance and fantasy, esp. in featuring sexual relationships between humans and supernatural creatures
Romulan n. (1966) in the fictional universe of the Star Trek franchise: a member of a humanoid alien race
RSN adv. (1959) = RealSoonNow adv.
sailship n. (1964) a spacecraft using a solar sail as its chief method of propulsion
sapience n. (1962) (of non-humans) intelligence
sapient n. (1958) an intelligent alien
sapient adj. (1935) of an alien or machine: intelligent; having human-like intelligence
Saturnian n. 1 (1738) a native or inhabitant of the planet Saturn
Saturnian n. 2 (1935) the language of Saturnians
Saturnian adj. (1675) of or relating to the the planet Saturn or its inhabitants
saucer n. (1947) = flying saucer n.
saucerian n. (1947) a being that travels in a flying saucer; = alien n.
saucerman n. (1950) a being that travels in a flying saucer; = [[2038]saucerian]]
saucer people n. (1952) = saucerians
scanner n. (1935) a device, system, etc. used for systematically examining something or gathering data, esp. at a distance or through obstacles
science fantasy n. 1 (1931) = science fiction n. 2; a work in this genre
science fantasy n. 2 (1932) = imaginative fiction
science fantasy n. 3 (1948) a genre which combines elements of science fiction and fantasy; a work in this genre
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
science fiction n. 1 (1897) a work of science fiction n. 2
science fiction n. 2 (1898) a genre (of fiction, film, etc.) in which the plot or setting features speculative scientific or technological advances or differences
science fiction adj. (1911) of, relating to, or characteristic of science fiction n. 2
science fictional adj. (1932) being, pertaining to, or characteristic of science fiction n. 2
science-fictionality n. (1977) the condition or quality of being science fictional adj.; (of a work of fiction) being science-fictional
science-fictionalized adj. (1950) that has been made science fictional adj. in character
science-fictionally adv. (1936) in the manner of science fiction n. 2
science fictioneer n. (1936) a writer or aficionado of science fiction