Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction

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Word Definition
subetheric adj. (1938) of, relating to, or involving a sub-ether n. (esp. with allusion to a supposed means of faster-than-light communication)
subetherics n. (1948) a device which uses sub-ether (esp. with allusion to a supposed means of faster-than-light communication)
subgenre n. (1955) a style or category (of fiction, film, etc.) that is a regarded as a subset of another, broader genre
subjunctivity n. (1969) the relationship between reality and something portrayed in a text
sublight n. (1967) speeds below light-speed
sublight adj. (1947) occurring below the speed of light; (also) relating to travel at speeds below the speed of light
sublight adv. (1966) at a speed below light-speed
subspace n. (1937) a physical space subject to different physical laws from our own, typically allowing motion or communication at speeds greater than the speed of light
subterrene n. (1956) a subterranean tunnelling machine; esp. one which melts the rock in front of it and causes the molten rock to form a glassy lining to the tunnel as it develops
suit n. (1898) = space suit n.
suited adj. (1938) wearing a spacesuit
suit phone n. (1931) a communications system in the helmet of a space suit; cf. suit radio n.
suit radio n. (1941) = suit phone n.
suit up v. (1948) to put on a spacesuit
superhero n. (1937) a person who uses superpowers or superscience for benevolent purposes
superheroine n. (1960) a woman who uses superpowers or superscience for benevolent purposes; a female superhero n.
superluminal adj. (1959) having or being a speed greater than that of light; (also) designating an engine, etc., that can produce such a speed
superluminal adv. (1990) at a superluminal speed
superluminally adv. (1975) at a superluminal speed; faster than light
supernormal n. (1936) a being with extraordinary (usu. psychic) powers as compared to other members of their kind
supernova n. (1942) to go supernova (of a star) to become a supernova; (more generally, of a star, planet, etc.) to explode (also used figuratively)
superpower n. (1932) a superhuman ability, esp. as possessed by a superhero; an ability beyond what is possible based on scientific laws
superscience n. (1929) extremely advanced science; science beyond what is possible based on known laws
superscientific adj. (1919) of or pertaining to superscience n.; relating to or generated by the products of super-science
super-scientist n. (1928) a person who studies, or creates inventions using, superscience n.
superspace n. (1939) = hyperspace n.
supervillain n. (1917) a person who uses superpowers or superscience for malevolent purposes
supervillainess n. (1970) a woman who uses superpowers or superscience for malevolent purposes; a female supervillain n.
super-weapon n. (1918) a weapon, esp. an extremely destructive one, based on highly advanced technology
sword and sorcery n. (1961) a subgenre of fantasy n. 1 which describes the adventures of larger-than-life heroes or heroines in bronze-age or medieval settings, and especially their battles with magical or supernatural foes; = heroic fantasy n.
system-wide adj. (1935) extending or existing throughout or across a solar system
tanstaafl n. (1949) (used as a proverb to assert that everything has a cost, hidden or otherwise)