Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
Order by: alphabetical | chronological ( asc | desc )
| First date | Word | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1939 | pseudogravity n. (1939) | = artificial gravity n. |
| 1939 | pulp science fiction n. (1939) | science fiction published in the pulp magazines of the early–mid twentieth century; any science fiction regarded as being characteristic of these magazines, esp. in being action-driven or based on clichéd ideas, plots, or characterizations |
| 1939 | Rhean n. (1939) | a native or inhabitant of the Saturnian moon Rhea; (also) the language of Rheans |
| 1939 | shapeshifter n. (1939) | one that shapeshifts |
| 1939 | skyhook n. 2 (1939) | a hook on an aircraft or spaceship capable of lifting burdens |
| 1939 | sol n. 2 (1939) | = solar n. |
| 1939 | space crew n. (1939) | the crew of a spacecraft |
| 1939 | space field n. 2 (1939) | a place esp. on the surface of a planet where spacecraft can take off and land; = spaceport n. |
| 1939 | space law n. (1939) | a body of laws governing issues relating to outer space |
| 1939 | space patrolman n. (1939) | a man who works for a space patrol n. |
| 1939 | spacer n. 2 (1939) | = spaceship n. |
| 1939 | space scientist n. (1939) | an expert or specialist in a branch of science that deal with regions beyond the earth or beyond Earth’s atmosphere, including astronomy, astrophysics, and exobiology |
| 1939 | space tug n. (1939) | a small powerful spacecraft designed for short-distance tasks, such as maneuvering other vessels, pulling freight ships, etc. |
| 1939 | starfleet n. (1939) | an organized group of starships, esp. one under military control; a division of a military responsible for interstellar activities |
| 1939 | star lane n. (1939) | = space lane n. |
| 1939 | superfan n. (1939) | a fan who exhibits extreme devotion or enthusiasm |
| 1939 | superspace n. (1939) | = hyperspace n. |
| 1939 | vac-suited adj. (1939) | = vacuum-suited adj. |
| 1938 | annish n. (1938) | the issue of a fanzine published on the anniversary of the first issue’s publication |
| 1938 | apa n. (1938) | an organization of (science fiction) fans that distributes fanzines contributed by most or all of the members; cf. apazine n. |
| 1938 | completist n. (1938) | one who wishes to have or collect complete sets of something |
| 1938 | continuum n. (1938) | a universe; dimension n. |
| 1938 | Earth-norm n. (1938) | = Earth-normal n. |
| 1938 | fan fiction n. (1938) | fiction written by a fan rather than a professional author, esp. that based on already-existing characters from a television series, book, film, etc.; (also) a piece of such writing |
| 1938 | Flash Gordon adj. (1938) | = science fictional adj.; (specif.) characteristic of hackneyed or dated science fiction; Buck Rogers adj. |
| 1938 | mech n. (1938) | = robot n.; (also) = mecha n. 1 |
| 1938 | mind-controlled adj. (1938) | of a device or a being: controlled by another person’s thoughts |
| 1938 | mind shield n. (1938) | = thought shield n. |
| 1938 | mundane adj. 1 (1938) | belonging or relating to the world which lies outside the sphere of interest of a particular group of enthusiasts; non-science fictional; mainstream adj. |
| 1938 | sfnal adj. (1938) | = science fictional adj. |
| 1938 | space bum n. (1938) | a spacer who wanders aimlessly; a vagrant in space; (also) a spacer who is regarded as contemptible |
| 1938 | space dock n. (1938) | a spaceport or space station, esp. one where a spaceship can undergo repair or take on supplies |
| 1938 | spacehand n. (1938) | someone who works or has experience working in space, esp. a low-ranking member of a spaceship crew |
| 1938 | stfandom n. (1938) | science-fiction fandom |
| 1938 | subetheric adj. (1938) | of, relating to, or involving a sub-ether n. (esp. with allusion to a means of faster-than-light communication) |
| 1938 | suited adj. (1938) | wearing a spacesuit |
| 1938 | telescanner n. (1938) | a scanner, esp. one used for remote visual examination |
| 1938 | time-warped adj. (1938) | transported from the past or future by a time warp n. |