Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
Order by: alphabetical | chronological
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| Ballardian adj. (1964) | of, relating to, or characteristic of the writing of J. G. Ballard, esp. in featuring desolate, dystopian settings and a pessimistic view of the effects of modern technological society |
| battleship n. (1900) | a military spaceship having heavy armor and powerful weapons |
| BDO n. (1993) | = big dumb object n. |
| beam v. (1951) | to travel through space as if along a beam of light or energy; to transport (someone or something) in this manner |
| beamer n. (1945) | a device (esp. a weapon) that emits a beam of energy |
| beam weapon n. (1936) | a weapon that fires a destructive beam of energy |
| beanstalk n. (1979) | = space elevator n. |
| 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. |
| bemmy n. (1947) | = BEM 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 |
| 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. (1988) | 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. |