Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
Order by: alphabetical | chronological ( asc | desc )
| First date | Word | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | nanobot n. (1989) | a nanoscale self-propelled machine, esp. one that has some degree of autonomy and can reproduce |
| 1989 | postcyberpunk adj. (1989) | of or pertaining a subgenre of science fiction that employs some of cyberpunk's themes, especially the exploration of the effects of a high rate of technological change on society, but rejects the alienation and dystopianism of cyberpunk |
| 1989 | retcon n. (1989) | in a fictional work or series: a piece of new (and typically revelatory) information which imposes a different interpretation on previously described events, often employed to facilitate a dramatic plot shift or account for an inconsistency; (also) use of this as a narrative device |
| 1989 | retcon v. (1989) | to revise retrospectively (an aspect of a fictional work or series), typically by means of a revelation which imposes a different interpretation on previously described events; cf. retcon n. |
| 1989 | sharecropped adj. (1989) | having the quality of a sharecrop n. |
| 1989 | 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 |
| 1988 | nanorobot n. (1988) | = nanobot n. |
| 1988 | smeg v. (1988) | in the British TV series Red Dwarf: (used as a mild expletive) |
| 1988 | smeg n. (1988) | in the British TV series Red Dwarf: (used as a mild expletive) |
| 1988 | smeghead n. (1988) | in the British TV series Red Dwarf: a foolish or contemptible person |
| 1987 | gengineer n. (1987) | = genetic engineer n. |
| 1987 | holodeck n. (1987) | chiefly in the fictional universe of the Star Trek franchise: a room providing a holographic environment |
| 1987 | nano n. (1987) | = nanotechnology n.; (also) = nanobot n. |
| 1987 | nanotech adj. (1987) | = nanotechnological adj. |
| 1987 | offworld n. (1987) | a place away from Earth, or a particular planet or world regarded as the native world; another world or planet |
| 1987 | proto-cyberpunk adj. (1987) | of or relating to works that prefigure the themes of cyberpunk n. 1; cf. postcyberpunk adj. |
| 1987 | replicant n. 2 (1987) | a person who acts or behaves like a replicant n. 1, esp. in imitating or resembling others; a conformist person; a clone |
| 1987 | sharecropper n. (1987) | a writer of sharecrops |
| 1987 | sharecropping n. (1987) | the practice of writing sharecrops |
| 1987 | splatterpunk n. 1 (1987) | a subgenre of horror fiction characterized by the frequent and graphic description of grisly violence, bloody deaths, and extreme sexual situations; (in later use also) a similar genre of movies, video games, etc. |
| 1987 | splatterpunk n. 2 (1987) | an author of splatterpunk writing |
| 1987 | steampunk n. 1 (1987) | a writer of steampunk n. 2 |
| 1987 | steampunk n. 2 (1987) | a subgenre of science fiction which has a historical setting (esp. based on industrialized, nineteenth-century society) and characteristically features steam-powered, mechanized machinery rather than electronic technology |
| 1986 | avatar n. (1986) | a graphical representation of a person in a computer-generated environment (as a game) |
| 1986 | condom n. (1986) | the milieu of (usually science fiction) conventions |
| 1986 | gripping hand n. (1986) | on the gripping hand: used to introduce a third point of view, fact, case, etc., that contrasts with two previous statements |
| 1986 | mecha n. 1 (1986) | chiefly in anime or manga: a large combat robot having humanoid form, typically controlled by an occupant |
| 1986 | mindfood n. (1986) | a substance taken as food or drink containing chemicals which increase oneβs mental ability |
| 1986 | nanomachine n. (1986) | a nanotechnological machine |
| 1986 | nanotechnological adj. (1986) | resulting from developments in nanotechnology; of or relating to nanotechnology |
| 1986 | proto-cyberpunk n. (1986) | a writer of proto-cyberpunk works |
| 1985 | anime n. (1985) | a Japanese animated film or television programme, drawn in a meticulously detailed style, usually featuring characters with distinctive large, staring eyes, and typically having a science-fiction or fantasy theme, sometimes including violent or sexually explicit material; this genre of entertainment |
| 1985 | gengineering n. (1985) | = genetic engineering n. |
| 1985 | posthumanist adj. (1985) | of or related to posthumanism n. |
| 1985 | posthumanity n. (1985) | the society or condition of posthumans |
| 1985 | redshirt n. (1985) | a character who is not portrayed in depth; (esp.) a character whose main plot function is to be killed |