Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction

Order by: alphabetical | chronological



Word Definition
spacecraft n. (1929) any vehicle designed to travel in space
space crew n. (1939) the crew of a spacecraft
space cruiser n. (1925) a spaceship; = cruiser n.
space dinghy n. (1941) a small spaceship; a lifeboat or shuttle
space dock n. (1938) a spaceport or space station, esp. one where a spaceship can undergo repair or take on supplies
space dog n. (1937) = spacehound n.
space drive n. (1932) a propulsion system for a spaceship; cf. star drive n.
space elevator n. (1975) any of various proposed structures extending from the earth upwards for many miles as a means of transporting materials into space, esp. one consisting of a tether linked to a geosynchronous satellite orbiting the earth; cf. orbital tower n.
space epic n. (1943) a subgenre of science fiction featuring adventure-driven plots set in outer space; a work in this genre; cf. space opera n.
space exploration n. (1878) the exploration of space
space explorer n. (1901) one who explores space
spacefarer n. (1936) a person who travels in space, an astronaut; (also) a space traveller from another planet
spacefaring n. (1942) the action of travelling in space
spacefaring adj. (1942) that travels, or is able to travel, in space; that is used during or pertains to space travel
space fiction n. (1929) science fiction set in space or on other worlds, or involving space travel n.
space-fictional n. (1963) resembling or characteristic of space fiction n.
space field n. 1 (1931) a field of energy
space field n. 2 (1939) a place esp. on the surface of a planet where spacecraft can take off and land; = spaceport n.
space fleet n. (1930) an organized group of spaceships, esp. one under military control
space flight n. (1930) a journey in or into outer space; (as a mass noun) space-travel generally
space flyer n. 1 (1911) a spacecraft
space flyer n. 2 (1928) a space traveller; an astronaut
space force n. (1932) a branch of the military that acts in outer space
space freighter n. (1930) a spaceship primarily used for transporting cargo
space-going adj. (1932) that travels in space
spacegram n. (1931) a brief (written) message sent through space
spacegram v. (1931) transitive to send (a spacegram); also with recipient as object, and intransitive
space gun n. 1 (1929) a large gun which projects a spacecraft into space; (also) a hand-held gun whose recoil is used by an astronaut for propulsion
space gun n. 2 (1932) a weapon used in by people in space; a toy handgun of a style imagined to be used by space travellers
spacehand n. (1938) someone who works or has experience working in space, esp. a low-ranking member of a spaceship crew
space helmet n. (1931) a helmet worn as part of a spacesuit, to provide the wearer with a breathable atmosphere and to protect the head
spacehound n. (1931) an experienced spaceman or spacewoman
space journey n. (1890) a journey in space
space junk n. (1951) man-made debris floating in space
space lane n. (1928) an established route through space
space law n. (1939) a body of laws governing issues relating to outer space
spaceline n. (1930) a company that offers passenger space flights, esp. on a regular route; such a route itself
space liner n. (1931) a large and esp. luxurious spaceship for passenger travel