Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
Order by: alphabetical | chronological ( asc | desc )
| First date | Word | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | astroengineering n. (1971) | large-scale structural engineering in space, esp. the modification of the physical structure or configuration of a planet, a star, or an entire solar system; cf. terraforming n.; (also) (broadly) any form of engineering in or related to space, such as the design or operation of the propulsion systems of spacecraft |
| 1971 | genre science fiction n. (1971) | stories, novels, etc. that are explicity written or published as science fiction, as opposed to ones which contain science fictional elements but are written or published as mainstream fiction, or in another genre |
| 1971 | high fantasy n. (1971) | a subgenre of fantasy set in an imaginary world, typically having a medieval-style society and level of technology, usually featuring a quest or a conflict between Good and Evil, and often written in an elevated style |
| 1971 | launching laser n. (1971) | a high-powered laser used for the launching of spacecraft, either by vaporizing propellant at the rear of the craft, or by radiation pressure on a solar sail n. |
| 1971 | Orwellian n. (1971) | an admirer of the works and ideas of George Orwell |
| 1971 | pew n. (1971) | (used to represent the sound of a weapon, esp. a beam weapon) |
| 1971 | posthumanism n. (1971) | the idea that humanity can be transformed, transcended, or eliminated either by technological advances or the evolutionary process; artistic, scientific, or philosophical practice which reflects this belief; cf. posthuman n. |
| 1971 | terraformation n. (1971) | = terraforming n. |
| 1972 | cryosleep n. (1972) | = cold sleep n. |
| 1972 | downtime adv. (1972) | esp. in time-travel contexts: in, into, or toward the past; cf. uptime adv. |
| 1972 | metahuman adj. (1972) | being or relating to superpowers; being a metahuman n. |
| 1972 | novum n. (1972) | a scientific (rather than supernatural or fantastic) element in a work that demonstrates that the work takes place in a world different from our own, thus establishing that the work should be regarded as science fiction |
| 1972 | spacing n. 2 (1972) | the act of executing a person by forcing them into space without a spacesuit; cf. space v. 2 |
| 1972 | Tuckerize v. (1972) | to use the name of (a real person) as a name of a character in a work of fiction; also intrans. |
| 1972 | uptime adv. (1972) | esp. in time-travel contexts: in, into, or toward the future; cf. downtime adv. |
| 1972 | uptime adj. (1972) | esp. in time-travel contexts: in or from the future; cf. downtime adj. |
| 1972 | xenopsychology n. (1972) | the psychology of alien races |
| 1973 | AI n. (1973) | a sentient computer; = artificial intelligence n. |
| 1973 | gamer n. (1973) | a participant in a war-game or role-playing game; a player or creator of such games |
| 1973 | holovid n. (1973) | a holographic video; a device or system that displays or records holographic videos; cf. holovision n. |
| 1973 | Jedi n. (1973) | in the fictional universe of the Star Wars franchise: a member of an order of heroic, skilled warrior monks who are able to harness the mystical power of the Force. Also in extended and allusive use; esp. someone (humorously) credited with great skill or preternatural powers. Also more fully Jedi knight, Jedi master |
| 1973 | multiverse n. 2 (1973) | in figurative use: a sphere of very varied possibility, such as the mind or the imagination |
| 1973 | Padawan n. (1973) | in the fictional universe of the Star Wars franchise: an apprentice Jedi; also (often humorously) in extended and allusive use: a youthful, naive, or untrained person |
| 1973 | realspace n. (1973) | the ordinary universe; space that exists outside of hyperspace, wormholes, or other notional regions used for faster-than-light travel; cf. otherspace n. |
| 1973 | SFX n. (1973) | special effects |
| 1973 | shapechange v. (1973) | to change shape, by an imagined natural capability, and adopt the form and sometimes abilities of an animal or other being |
| 1973 | skiffy n. (1973) | = sci-fi adj. |
| 1973 | starfaring n. (1973) | interstellar traveling |
| 1973 | vibroknife n. (1973) | = vibroblade n. |
| 1974 | commlink n. (1974) | a communication link; a communication device |
| 1974 | Darth n. 1 (1974) | in the fictional universe of the Star Wars franchise: (used as a title before the name of a Sith Lord) |
| 1974 | Force n. (1974) | (with the) in the fictional universe of the Star Wars franchise: a mystical universal energy field which certain individuals, such as the Jedi, can harness to gain special powers or abilities |