Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction

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First date Word Definition
1975 orbital tower n. (1975) a structure linking a planet, moon, etc., with a space station or satellite which is in stationary orbit around it; cf. skyhook n. 4
1975 shipmind n. (1975) an intelligent entity (alien or computer-based) that helps control a spacecraft
1975 space elevator n. (1975) any of various proposed structures extending from the earth upwards for many miles as a means of transporting materials into space, esp. one consisting of a tether linked to a geosynchronous satellite orbiting the earth; cf. orbital tower n.
1975 space tunnel n. (1975) = wormhole n.
1975 superluminally adv. (1975) at a superluminal speed; faster than light
1975 temporal loop n. (1975) = time loop n.
1975 worm n. (1975) a program designed to sabotage a computer or computer network; spec. a self-duplicating program which can operate without becoming incorporated into another program
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
1974 hobbit-hole n. (1974) a hobbit’s house; any small cozy house
1974 nanotechnology n. (1974) the branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of 0.1 to 100 nanometres, or, generally, with the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules
1974 nearside n. (1974) the part of a moon that faces the planet it orbits; cf. farside n.
1974 uchronian adj. (1974) of or relating to uchronias
1974 Wookiee n. (1974) in the fictional universe of the Star Wars franchise: (a member of) a race of tall, hairy, humanoid aliens
1973 AI n. (1973) a sentient computer; = artificial intelligence n.
1973 artificial intelligence n. (1973) a computer program or system capable of reasoning in a manner regarded as equivalent to a human being; a sentient computer
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.
1973 xenocide n. (1973) the killing or attempted killing of an entire alien species; the killing of an individual alien; (also) a person who commits this act