Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
Order by: alphabetical | chronological
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| beast mode n. (1991) | in a video game: a (temporary) state in which a human transforms into an animal or mythical creature, typically having extra power or skills; (hence) a (temporary) state of aggression or great performance |
| Belter n. (1965) | a native or resident of an asteroid belt n. |
| BEM n. (1940) | = bug-eyed monster n. |
| Betelgeusean n. 1 (1921) | a native or inhabitant of the Betelgeuse system |
| Betelgeusean n. 2 (1959) | the language of Betelgeuseans |
| Betelgeusean adj. (1921) | of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the Betelgeuse system or its inhabitants |
| big dumb object n. (1981) | a large, mysterious, alien-made artifact encountered in space or on another world |
| biocomputer n. (1952) | a computer having components and circuits formed from or modelled on biological molecules or structures |
| bionic adj. (1941) | of or pertaining to bionics; having or being an artificial, esp. electromechanical, device that replaces part of the body; having ordinary human capabilities increased (as if) by the aid of such devices |
| biopunk n. (1991) | a subgenre of science fiction that focuses on the societal effects of biotechnology and genetic engineering |
| biosuit n. (1969) | any of various protective garments, as: a suit designed to protect the wearer from biological hazards; a protective suit made of biological materials; a relatively flexible and lightweight spacesuit |
| biotech n. (1951) | = biotechnician n. |
| biotechnician n. (1940) | a person, esp. a laboratory technician, involved in biotechnics or biotechnology |
| blaster n. (1925) | a weapon that fires a destructive beam of energy |
| blast-off n. (1937) | the initial thrust required to launch a rocket or the like into space; the launching of the rocket itself |
| blast off v. (1937) | (of a person or being) to take off in a spaceship, esp. one propelled by rockets; (of a spaceship) to take off |
| blast rifle n. (1935) | a long shoulder weapon that fires a destructive beam of energy; cf. blaster n. |
| blowup n. (1945) | a war that destroys a culture or a large part of the population |
| blue pill n. (1998) | a drug that allows one to remain ignorant of reality; cf. red pill n. |
| BNF n. (1948) | someone who is extremely prominent within a particular fandom |
| boat n. (1900) | = spaceship n. |
| Bonestellian adj. (1953) | of, relating to, or characteristic of the art of Chesley Bonestell, esp. in featuring accurate depictions of astronomical objects |
| Borg n. (1989) | in the fictional universe of the Star Trek franchise: a group of cybernetically enhanced aliens linked in a hive mind n. |
| bot n. (1969) | a robot |
| Bradburian adj. (1951) | = Bradburyish adj. |
| Bradburyesque adj. (1948) | = Bradburyish adj. |
| Bradburyish adj. (1948) | of, relating to, or characteristic of the writing of Ray Bradbury, esp. in focusing on psychological concerns (often based on the presumed simplicity of personal interactions) rather than technological developments |
| braintape n. (1946) | a recording of the (entire) contents of a personβs mind |
| Buck Rogers adj. (1934) | = science fictional adj.; (specif.) characteristic of hackneyed or dated science fiction |
| bug-eyed monster n. (1939) | a monstrous alien with bulging eyes, esp. as a clichΓ©d subject for cover illustrations in early science fiction magazines; cf. BEM n. |
| bullet time n. (1999) | a video effect in which the camera appears to move around a stationary or very slow-moving subject |