Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
Order by: alphabetical | chronological ( asc | desc )
| First date | Word | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 1972 | cryosleep n. (1972) | = cold sleep n. |
| 1972 | downtime adv. (1972) | esp. in time-travel contexts: in, into, or toward the past; cf. uptime adv. |
| 1972 | novum n. (1972) | a scientific (rather than supernatural or fantastic) element in a work that demonstrates that the work takes place in a world different from our own, thus establishing that the work should be regarded as science fiction |
| 1972 | spacing n. 2 (1972) | the act of executing a person by forcing them into space without a spacesuit; cf. space v. 2 |
| 1972 | uptime adv. (1972) | esp. in time-travel contexts: in, into, or toward the future; cf. downtime adv. |
| 1972 | uptime adj. (1972) | esp. in time-travel contexts: in or from the future; cf. downtime adj. |
| 1972 | xenopsychology n. (1972) | the psychology of alien races |
| 1971 | astroengineering n. (1971) | large-scale structural engineering in space, esp. the modification of the physical structure or configuration of a planet, a star, or an entire solar system; cf. terraforming n.; (also) (broadly) any form of engineering in or related to space, such as the design or operation of the propulsion systems of spacecraft |
| 1971 | genre science fiction n. (1971) | stories, novels, etc. that are explicity written or published as science fiction, as opposed to ones which contain science fictional elements but are written or published as mainstream fiction, or in another genre |
| 1971 | high fantasy n. (1971) | a subgenre of fantasy set in an imaginary world, typically having a medieval-style society and level of technology, usually featuring a quest or a conflict between Good and Evil, and often written in an elevated style |
| 1971 | launching laser n. (1971) | a high-powered laser used for the launching of spacecraft, either by vaporizing propellant at the rear of the craft, or by radiation pressure on a solar sail n. |
| 1971 | Orwellian n. (1971) | an admirer of the works and ideas of George Orwell |
| 1971 | pew n. (1971) | (used to represent the sound of a weapon, esp. a beam weapon) |
| 1971 | posthumanism n. (1971) | the idea that humanity can be transformed, transcended, or eliminated either by technological advances or the evolutionary process; artistic, scientific, or philosophical practice which reflects this belief; cf. posthuman n. |
| 1971 | terraformation n. (1971) | = terraforming n. |
| 1970 | alternative history n. (1970) | = alternate history n. |
| 1970 | antispinward adv. (1970) | in the opposite direction that something (as a space station or a galaxy) is rotating |
| 1970 | auton n. (1970) | an autonomous robot or robotic device; (specif. in form Auton) in the British television series Doctor Who: one of a group of malevolent humanoid robots having plastic-like skin |
| 1970 | construct n. (1970) | an intelligent entity that is not biological, as a sentient hologram or a digital intelligence; an artificially created or hybridized being |
| 1970 | holo n. (1970) | a hologram; a device that displays holograms; holograms as a form of entertainment |
| 1970 | jack in v. (1970) | to connect one's brain directly to a computer or cybernetic device by means of a cybernetically implanted data jack |
| 1970 | mind-control v. (1970) | to use mind control on (a person); to control or influence (a person) telepathically |
| 1970 | shapeshift v. (1970) | to change shape, by a natural capability, and adopt the form and sometimes abilities of an animal or other being |
| 1970 | smof n. (1970) | a fan who is very active in fandom and in particular with organizing conventions |
| 1970 | supervillainess n. (1970) | a woman who uses superpowers or superscience for malevolent purposes; a female supervillain n. |
| 1969 | 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 |
| 1969 | bot n. (1969) | a robot |
| 1969 | Clarke orbit n. (1969) | geosynchronous orbit |
| 1969 | cold sleeper n. (1969) | a person in cold sleep |
| 1969 | genetically engineered adj. (1969) | produced by genetic engineering n. |
| 1969 | holoscreen n. (1969) | a screen that displays a hologram |
| 1969 | NAFAL adj. (1969) | of space travel: at relativistic speed; of a spaceship: capable of travelling at relativistic speed |
| 1969 | organlegging n. (1969) | the illegal trading of human organs for transplant; cf. organlegger n. |
| 1969 | subjunctivity n. (1969) | the relationship between reality and something portrayed in a text |