Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction

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First date Word Definition
1931 tractor ray n. (1931) = tractor beam n.
1931 transdimensional adj. (1931) designating movement between dimensions; involving more than one dimension
1931 Venusian n. 2 (1931) the language of Venusians
1931 visor screen n. (1931) = viewscreen n.
1931 wallscreen n. (1931) a large wall-mounted video display
1930 airlock n. (1930) a small intermediate compartment with controlled pressure and two airtight doors, used to facilitate movement between the interior and exterior of a spacecraft; (also) either of the doors to such a compartment; cf. space lock n.
1930 Aldebaranian n. 1 (1930) a native or inhabitant of the Aldebaran system
1930 Callistonian n. (1930) = Callistan n. 1
1930 Callistonian adj. (1930) = Callistan adj.
1930 Earthbound adj. 2 (1930) based on Earth; unable to leave Earth
1930 ether radio n. (1930) a device for communicating over long distances through the ether; cf. sub-ether n.
1930 Europan n. 1 (1930) a native or inhabitant of the Jovian moon Europa
1930 Europan n. 2 (1930) the language of Europans
1930 face plate n. (1930) the transparent window of a spacesuit’s helmet
1930 fantastic adj. (1930) having the quality of fantasy n. 1
1930 flame pistol n. (1930) a pistol that shoots flames; cf. flame gun n.
1930 Galactic n. 1 (1930) a language commonly spoken throughout a galaxy; cf. Standard n.
1930 glassite n. (1930) a strong transparent synthetic material; an artificial substitute for glass
1930 gravity n. (1930) = gee n. 2
1930 gravity plate n. (1930) a device that creates or nullifies the effects of gravity
1930 groundcar n. (1930) a car incapable of flight (in contrast with an aircar n.)
1930 group mind n. (1930) a collective intelligence composed of individual intelligences combined into a larger whole, esp. where the resulting consciousness exerts control over its constituent members; hive mind n.
1930 home system n. (1930) the solar system in which an individual being is from; the solar system in which a species originated
1930 inhuman adj. (1930) not human; alien
1930 lifeship n. (1930) an emergency spacecraft; lifeboat n.
1930 life tube n. (1930) an escape pod having a cylindrical shape; cf. lifeboat n.
1930 light barrier n. 1 (1930) a force field made of beams of light
1930 moon ship n. (1930) a spacecraft for travelling to the Moon
1930 mother ship n. (1930) a spacecraft escorting or having charge of a number of other, usually smaller, craft; one from which other craft are launched or controlled
1930 needle-beam n. (1930) a weapon producing a very narrow beam of energy; the beam produced by such a weapon
1930 Neptunian n. 2 (1930) the language of Neptunians
1930 non-human adj. (1930) = alien n.