Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction

Order by: alphabetical | chronological ( asc | desc )



First date Word Definition
1976 torch drive n. (1976) a fusion-powered, slower-than-light space drive
1976 vape v. (1976) to vaporize by means of a weapon; to destroy completely, to annihilate
1975 cryostasis n. (1975) a frozen state of a person or body induced in order to preserve it for long periods; cryosuspension n.
1975 Dark Side n. 2 (1975) the force of evil
1975 ecotopia n. (1975) a place, society, or condition thought to resemble Ecotopia; a place or state which is utopian from an ecological perspective
1975 fix-up n. (1975) a novel constructed from shorter material written separately
1975 holocamera n. (1975) = holocam n.
1975 lightsaber n. (1975) in the fictional universe of the Star Wars franchise: a weapon resembling a sword, but having a destructive beam of light in place of a blade
1975 non-genre adj. (1975) not science fiction, fantasy, or horror; = mainstream adj.
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 or system; a (usu. small, personal) communication device; cf. earlier comset n.
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 time-slip v. (1974) (trans.) to transport through time via a time-slip; (intrans.) to travel through time via a time-slip; (broadly) = time travel v.
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
1974 world-building n. (1974) the creation of coherent fictional realms, typically encompassing their geology, geography, ecology, etc., and the history and culture of their inhabitants; cf. earlier worldbuilder n.
1973 AI n. (1973) a sentient computer; = artificial intelligence n.
1973 gamer n. (1973) a participant in a war-game or role-playing game; a player or creator of such games