Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction

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Word Definition
downtime adj. (1978) esp. in time-travel contexts: in or from the past; cf. uptime adj.
downtime adv. (1972) esp. in time-travel contexts: in, into, or toward the past; cf. uptime adv.
droid n. (1952) a robot, esp. a humanoid one; an android
dropshaft n. (1952) a vertical shaft that uses artificial gravity to move free-floating passengers or freight
Dyson sphere n. (1966) an artificial structure in the form of a hollow shell surrounding a star, built esp. in order to capture the star’s energy output
dystopia n. 1 (1952) a work set in a dystopia n. 2
dystopia n. 2 (1955) an imaginary place or state of affairs in which there is great suffering or injustice, esp. as the result of a totalitarian or dehumanizing political state; the genre of fiction set in such a situation; cf. utopia n.
dystopian n. (1868) one who advocates or describes a dystopia n. 2
dystopian adj. (1953) of or pertaining to a dystopia n. 2
dystopianism n. (1962) dystopian quality or characteristics
dystopic adj. (1967) of, pertaining to, or resembling a dystopia n. 2
earthborn n. (1940) a person born on Earth; people born on Earth collectively
earthborn adj. (1900) originating on Earth, as opposed to outer space or another celestial body
Earthbound adj. 1 (1928) headed toward Earth
Earthbound adj. 2 (1930) based on Earth; unable to leave Earth
Earthean n. (1882) = Earthian n. 1
Earthean adj. (1882) = Earthian adj.
Earther n. (1952) a native or inhabitant of Earth
earthfall n. (1952) the arrival of a spaceship on the surface of Earth; cf. planetfall n.
earth folk n. (1880) = earth people n.
earthgirl n. (1911) a girl or woman from Earth
Earthian n. 1 (1861) a native or inhabitant of Earth; = earthling n.
Earthian n. 2 (1943) a language spoken on Earth, esp. a universal language spoken widely by Earth people
Earthian adj. (1907) of or pertaining to Earth or Earthlings
earthie n. (1947) = earthling n.
Earthish n. (1956) a universal language of Earth; = Earthian n. 2
Earthish adj. (1976) of or pertaining to Earth or its inhabitants
Earthite n. (1814) a native or inhabitant of Earth
earthlike adj. (1928) resembling or like the Earth
earthling n. (1858) a native or inhabitant of Earth
earthly adj. (1783) belonging to or characteristic of Earth