Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
Order by: alphabetical | chronological
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| Vestan n. (1942) | a native or inhabitant of the asteroid Vesta |
| Vestan adj. (1941) | of or relating to the asteroid Vesta or its inhabitants |
| vibroblade n. (1940) | a weapon or tool having a blade that vibrates rapidly |
| vibroknife n. (1973) | = vibroblade n. |
| vidcall n. (1953) | a call made on a videophone n. |
| videophone n. (1928) | a telephone system that transmits video as well as audio; a telephone that incorporates a video screen on which the other party may be seen |
| videophone v. (1945) | to call or speak to via videophone n.; to make a call on a videophone n. |
| videophonic adj. (1949) | of or related to videophones or their use |
| vidscreen n. (1953) | a screen capable of displaying a visual image; (also) a videophone n. |
| viewphone n. (1932) | a telephone that allows caller and receiver to see one another; = videophone n. |
| viewplate n. (1928) | = visiplate n. |
| viewport n. (1935) | a (typically small and reinforced) window in a vehicle or structure designed to operate in space |
| viewscreen n. (1930) | a television or similar electronic display screen for viewing images or data |
| vision plate n. (1930) | = viewscreen n. |
| visiphone n. (1915) | = videophone n. |
| visiphone v. (1940) | to use a visiphone to call or speak to someone |
| visiplate n. (1930) | = viewscreen n. |
| visiscreen n. (1932) | = viewscreen n. |
| visor screen n. (1931) | = viewscreen n. |
| Vulcan n. (1966) | in the fictional universe of the Star Trek franchise: a member of a humanoid alien race, characterized by strictly logical and rational thinking and the suppression of normal human emotions; (hence) a person regarded as having similar characteristics |
| Vulcan mind meld n. (1968) | = mind-meld n. |
| Vulcan nerve pinch n. (1968) | a one-handed pinch delivered (chiefly by Vulcans) to the base of a personβs neck that immediately renders the victim unconscious |
| waldo n. (1942) | a remotely operated body, arm, etc., used variously to extend the userβs natural abilities, perform work in an inhospitable environment or at a distance, etc. |
| wallscreen n. (1931) | a large wall-mounted video display |
| warp n. (1936) | = space warp n.; travel by means of a space warp, travel at warp speed; (also) = time warp n. |
| warp v. (1932) | (intransitive) to travel through space by means of a space warp n.; (transitive) to cause to move through space, to another dimension, etc., by means of a warp |
| warp drive n. (1948) | a device by which a spaceship is enabled to travel through space by means of a space warp; a faster-than-light drive |
| warp speed n. (1952) | a faster-than-light speed, attained by a spaceship with a propulsion mechanism capable of manipulating space-time; (also, in extended use) an extraordinarily high speed |
| warship n. (1898) | a military spaceship designed for combat |