inhuman n.
a nonhuman being; cf. alien n.
Now chiefly as the name of a race of superhumans in the Marvel universe (see quot. 1965), and esp. to the Inhuman Royal Family, a particular team of such superhumans.
Aliens
-
1940
page image
Isaac Asimov
bibliography
I’ve brought home copies of their newspapers of the time in which they objected to joining with ‘alien monstrosities’ and refused to be ‘ruled by inhumans of worlds parsecs away.’ I ask you, does that make sense?
Homo Sol in Astounding Science-Fiction Sept. 122/2 -
1947
page image
Allison V. Harding
bibliography
We were no longer free to leave the house but were guarded by an odd assortment of inhumans.
House Beyond Midnight in Weird Tales Jan. 55/1 -
1965
page image
Stan Lee
Among Us Hide... The Inhumans.
in Fantastic Four (#45) Dec. (title) -
1973
page image
Ian Watson
bibliography
‘Surely the Sp’thra can’t still be in Nevada!’ ‘Oh but they can…. The inhumans can!’
The Embedding (1977) 196 -
1974
page image
After they are turned into beasties, they go around killing other people and bringing some of them to be transformed into dumb-looking sea creatures…. Thus, the ranks of the inhumans are always on the increase.
Horror of Party Beach in Monster Times (#30) Feb. 4/3 -
1976
page image
David C. Smith
bibliography
‘Are you a—sorcerer, Serenthal?’…‘You might refer to me in that fashion,’ he allowed, ‘though sorcerers are mortal and human. I am simply an inhuman.’
End of Days in Chacal Winter 45/2 -
1992
page image
David Eddings
bibliography
The gross cruelties of the inhumans who accompanied the invading army are too hideous to be mentioned.
Sapphire Rose 13 -
2007
page image
Scott Westerfeld
bibliography
Her eyes were drawn to the inhuman’s strange face. His skin was pale, his arms thin and weak-looking, but the needles on his fingertips were unambiguous—they were designed to do some damage. But the strangest thing was the inhuman’s feet. Bare and misshapen, they looked almost like hands, their long toes curled up like a dead spider’s legs.
Extras 226
Research requirements
antedating 1940
Earliest cite
Isaac Asimov, 'Homo Sol'
Research History
Fred Galvin submitted a cite from a 1974 reprint of Isaac Asimov's "Homo Sol"; Mike Christie verified the cite in the 1940 first appearance.
Last modified 2022-09-12 15:11:23
In the compilation of some
entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries
in OED.