Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction

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Word Definition
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 person’s 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
Callistan n. 1 (1932) a native or inhabitant of the Jovian moon Callisto; cf. slightly earlier Callistonian n.