Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction

Order by: alphabetical | chronological



Word Definition
space probe n. (1949) an unmanned spacecraft used esp. for research or reconnaissance
spacer n. 1 (1937) = spaceman n.; esp. a civilian who travels or works in space
spacer n. 2 (1939) = spaceship n.
space relay n. (1958) a relay station, as for a radio transmission, in space or on a moon
space rocket n. (1924) a rocket designed to travel beyond a planet's atmosphere
space sailor n. (1933) a person who travels in space, esp. as a profession
space science n. (1953) the study of outer space
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
spaceship n. (1880) a spacecraft; esp. a manned one under the control of its crew
space shuttle n. (1950) = shuttle n.
space sick adj. (1912) suffering from spacesickness n.
spacesickness n. (1912) sickness caused by the effects of space flight
space station n. (1930) a large artificial satellite used as a long-term base for operations in space
space suit n. (1929) a sealed and pressurized garment designed to protect the wearer against the conditions of space; cf. earlier suit n.
space-suited adj. (1931) wearing a space suit n.
space tan n. (1936) a tan caused by being in space, exposed to the light of stars unfiltered by planetary atmospheres
space-tanned adj. (1932) having a space tan n.
space taxi n. (1941) a small spacecraft designed for short-distance ferrying of passengers
space travel n. (1923) travel through outer space
space traveller n. (1928) a traveller in outer space
space travelling n. (1928) travelling through outer space
space-travelling adj. (1930) capable of space travel; that travels in space
space tug n. (1939) a small powerful spacecraft designed for short-distance tasks, such as maneuvering other vessels, pulling freight ships, etc.
space tunnel n. (1975) = wormhole n.
space vehicle n. (1928) = spacecraft n.
space vessel n. (1929) = spaceship n.
spacewalker n. (1930) a machine designed to enable a person to walk in space
spaceward adj. (1940) facing or directed towards space
spaceward adv. (1872) towards or in the direction of space
space warp n. (1935) a distortion of space-time that enables space travellers to make journeys at faster-than-light speeds
spaceway n. (1933) an established route through space; usu. in pl. spaceways space as an area in which people travel; cf. planet v.
spacewoman n. (1937) a female space traveller
spaceworthiness n. (1933) the condition of being spaceworthy adj.
spaceworthy adj. (1931) (of a person) in a fit condition for space travel; (of an object, esp. a vehicle) in a fit condition for use in space
spacewreck n. (1933) the destruction of a spacecraft; a wrecked spacecraft
spacewrecked adj. (1932) wrecked in space
space yacht n. (1931) a luxurious spaceship for personal use