Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
Order by: alphabetical | chronological
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| slipstream n. (1989) | fiction which, while not classified as science fiction, engages to some extent with scientific or futuristic subject matter, esp. such fiction regarded as constituting an identifiable genre; this genre of fiction |
| slipstreamer n. (1997) | a writer of slipstream fiction |
| slipstreamy adj. (1995) | having the characteristics or qualities of slipstream n. |
| slugthrower n. (1954) | a weapon that fires a physical projectile, in contrast to an energy weapon n. |
| smeg n. (1988) | in the British TV series Red Dwarf: (used as a mild expletive) |
| smeg v. (1988) | in the British TV series Red Dwarf: (used as a mild expletive) |
| smeghead n. (1988) | in the British TV series Red Dwarf: a foolish or contemptible person |
| smof n. (1970) | a fan who is very active in fandom and in particular with organizing conventions |
| smof v. (1968) | to talk with fans about organizing conventions or related fan activity |
| soft science fiction n. (1977) | science fiction based on the soft sciences (as sociology, anthropology, etc.); (also) science fiction in which the scientific elements are relatively unimportant to the story |
| Sol n. 1 (1929) | the star that Earth orbits; the Sun |
| sol n. 2 (1939) | = solar n. |
| solar n. (1942) | a unit of currency, esp. one used throughout a solar system; cf. earlier sol n. 2 |
| Solarian n. 1 (1834) | a native or inhabitant of Sol n. 1 |
| Solarian n. 2 (1930) | a native or inhabitant of Earth’s solar system |
| Solarian adj. (1930) | pertaining to Earth’s sun, solar system, or their inhabitants |
| solar sail n. (1958) | a surface designed to utilize the pressure of solar radiation to provide the propulsive force for a spacecraft to which it is attached |
| solar sailing n. (1959) | propelling a spacecraft via a solar sail n. |
| solar system n. (1882) | a system of one or more stars, often with accompanying planets |
| Sol III n. (1937) | the Earth |
| sol-type adj. (1943) | of the same class of star as Sol n. 1 |
| soma n. (1932) | in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World: a narcotic drug which produces euphoria and hallucination, distributed by the state in order to control the population by promoting content and social harmony |
| somewhen adv. (1894) | in time-travel contexts: another time; in or to another time |
| sonic screwdriver n. (1968) | in the British television series Doctor Who: a (hand-held) electronic device which uses sound waves to perform various mechanical and technical functions |
| sophont n. (1966) | an intelligent being |
| space v. 1 (1947) | to travel to or in space; cf. earlier spacing n. 1 |
| space v. 2 (1952) | to execute (a person) by forcing them into space without a spacesuit |
| space alien n. (1936) | = alien n. |
| space ark n. (1948) | a large ship designed to move or rescue large numbers of people, often with large ecosystems and many animals and plants on board |
| space armor n. (1932) | = space suit n., esp. such a suit designed to protect the wearer during combat in space |
| space-armored adj. (1934) | wearing space armor n. |
| space-based adj. (1956) | based in outer space |
| space biology n. (1952) | the study of biology in outer space or (broadly) in locations other than Earth |
| spaceboat n. (1928) | = spaceship n.; (sometimes specif.) a small spacecraft |
| spaceboot n. (1932) | footwear intended for use in outer space or on other worlds |
| space-born adj. 1 (1940) | (of a person) born in space, rather than on a planet |
| space-born adj. 2 (1944) | (of something non-living) developed or created in space, rather than on a planet; originating in space |
| space-borne adj. (1924) | travelling or carried through space; also, carried out in space or by means of instruments in space |