Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
Order by: alphabetical | chronological
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| science-fictioner n. (1949) | a science fiction film or TV show |
| science-fictionish adj. (1940) | being, resembling, or reminiscent of science fiction n. 2 |
| science-fictionist n. (1929) | a writer or aficionado of science fiction n. 2 |
| science fictiony adj. (1957) | characteristic of science fiction n. 2; resembling something which might exist in a work of science fiction; futuristic |
| science-fictive adj. (1953) | relating to or characteristic of science fiction n. 2; science fictional adj. |
| scientific fiction n. (1876) | = science fiction n. 2 |
| scientific romance n. (1873) | proto-science fiction written in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (especially in Britain), exemplified by H.G. Wells; in later use, science fiction that is similar in style or approach; also, a work of this kind |
| scientifiction n. (1916) | = science fiction n. 2 |
| scientifictional adj. (1929) | being, pertaining to, or characteristic of scientifiction n. |
| scientifictionally adv. (1933) | in a scientifictional manner; towards scientifictional subjects or interests |
| scientifictionist n. (1929) | a fan or writer of science fiction n. 2 |
| scientifilm n. (1932) | a science fiction movie |
| sci-fi n. (1955) | = science fiction n. 2 |
| sci-fi adj. (1953) | of, relating to, or characteristic of science fiction n. 2 |
| sci-fic n. (1933) | abbreviation of science fiction n. 2 |
| scouter n. (1936) | = scout ship n. |
| scout ship n. (1930) | a usu. small and fast spaceship used for reconnaissance |
| secondary world n. (1947) | the setting of a work of fantasy where this setting is different from the real world, but is internally consistent; cf. primary world n. |
| seetee n. (1942) | = contraterrene matter |
| semiprozine n. (1947) | a magazine that is between the levels of fanzine and prozine in some category such as circulation, quality of printing, etc.; a well-produced or widely circulated fanzine |
| sensawunda n. (1961) | = sense of wonder n. |
| sense of wonder n. (1936) | a feeling of awakening or awe brought on by an expansion of oneβs awareness of what may be possible; the primary emotional experience of reading science fiction n. 2; see also sensawunda n. |
| sentience n. 1 (1931) | the condition of being sentient; intelligence; cf. sapience n. |