countergravity n.

1937 S. A. Coblentz in Astounding Stories Sept. 52/1 page image Stanton A. Coblentz bibliography
For every force there must be a counterforce! For every action there must be an equal and opposite reaction! That is a fundamental law. It must apply to gravity as much as to anything. And, by Jove, if it can be found, I'm going to discover that countergravity—and apply it!
1950 J. Vance Dying Earth 87 Jack Vance
He knew lore of all ages, secrets of fire and light, gravity and counter-gravity, the knowledge of superpsychic numeration, metathasm, corolopsis.
1954 N. Bond Vital Factor in N. Bond No Time like Future 10
I've solved their secret. My idea is based on the principle that lets them fly. Electromagnetism. Utilization of the force of gravity. Or its opposite: counter-gravity.
1955 R. Wilson Girls from Planet 5 169
We have no intention of crashing into the city…That would do comparatively little damage. We will apply countergravity. The ship will stop, but the city will disappear.
2015 W. C. Bauers Unbreakable 21 page image W. C. Bauers bibliography
A green light on the steering console came to life and scanned her eyes. Then the sled rose on a platform of countergravity.

Research requirements

any evidence 1937

Research History

Suggested by Michael R N Dolbear.
Douglas Winston submitted a cite from a 1983 reprint of Poul Anderson's "Outpost of Empire", which Mike Christie verified in its 1967 first publication.
Fred Galvin submitted a 1950 cite for "counter-gravity" from Jack Vance's "The Dying Earth"
Fred Galvin submitted a cite from a 1954 reprint of Nelson Bond's 1951 story "Vital Factor"
Fred Galvin submitted a 1955 cite from Richard Wilson's, "The Girls from Planet 5".
Ben Ostrowsky submitted a 2015 cite from W. C. Bauers' "Unbreakable".

We would like to see additional later cites from other authors.

Last modified 2021-02-02 10:12:24
In the compilation of some entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries in OED.