cryostasis n.

a frozen state of a person or body induced in order to preserve it for long periods; cryosuspension n.

Frequently in in cryostasis

SF Encyclopedia


  • 1975 β€˜J. Tiptree, Jr.’ Momentary Taste of Being in Her Smoke Rose up Forever (1990) 295 James Tiptree, Jr.

    Ninety percent viability after ten-year cryostasis… We are ready for that planet.

  • 1987 Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction Aug. 95 (advt.) page image

    Save your life through cryostasis Frozen after clinical death, you may be revived & rejuvenated by future technology.

  • 1993 J. Brunner Muddle Earth 11β€”12 John Brunner

    The bulky man stumped toward the three in black, leering. β€˜I told you: he faked his death and cryostasis!’

  • 1998 W. Shatner et al. Spectre viii. 84 bibliography

    Seven are in cryostasis awaiting burial.

  • 2001 Interzone July 41/2

    We found decayed bodies in thick frozen brine and thought it was cryostasis gone wrong.

  • 2007 T. Patione Red Moon xxix. 220

    He instructed David to change the phone number six months after he was in cryostasis.

  • 2016 Starburst (#429) Oct. 117/2 page image

    You play as Corus Valott, a man awakening from cryostasis only to find his world in ruins.


Research requirements

antedating 1975

Earliest cite

"James Tiptree"

Research History
Suggested by Randy Hoffman, 1/10/02.
We would like to check the 1975 example, from "James Tiptree", in the original publication, Robert Silverberg's _New Atlantis and Other Novellas of Science Fiction_.

Added to OED in June 2011

Last modified 2021-02-01 15:33:10
In the compilation of some entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries in OED.