torch v.

to travel in a spaceship using a torch drive

Propulsion

  • 1956 R. A. Heinlein Double Star in Astounding Science Fiction Feb. 29/2 page image Robert A. Heinlein bibliography

    About seventeen seconds and a gnat’s wink after we make contact the Go For Broke will torch for Mars…for we’ve got to be there by Wednesday.

  • 1956 R. A. Heinlein Double Star in Astounding Mar. 104/1 page image Robert A. Heinlein bibliography

    I let myself be shanghaied aboard the spaceship Tom Paine and we were torching for Mars.

  • 1974 N. Spinrad Riding Torch (1978) 189 Norman Spinrad

    D’mahl was a detached observer far out in space watching the scoutship torch ahead of the Trek.

  • 2000 M. Flynn Lodestar (2001) 173 Michael F. Flynn bibliography

    I’ll take the parasols with me when I torch for the Moon and drop them off along the way.

Research requirements

antedating 1956
Research History
Malcolm Farmer submitted a cite from a reprint of Robert Heinlein's "Double Star"; Mike Christie verified the cite in the 1956 original magazine appearance.
Malcolm Farmer suggested Norman Spinrad's "Riding the Torch"; Mike Christie located a cite from a 1978 reprint.
Douglas Winston submitted a cite from a 2001 reprint of Michael Flynn's 2000 "Lodestar".

We would like cites of any date from other authors.

Last modified 2021-01-21 22:56:36
In the compilation of some entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries in OED.