neural adj.

connected directly to the nervous system; relating to or designating an interface between an electronic device and the nervous system

Originally used in science fiction, but now in use as an actual scientific term.

Science

  • [1949 H. Kuttner Time Axis in Startling Stories Jan. 61/2 page image Henry Kuttner bibliography

    I expected the laboratory, enormously braced, enmeshed with catwalks and, sparkling far across the room, the bright neural webbing that meant the dangerous man-machine was in the making.]

  • 1951 J. H. Schmitz Space Fear in Astounding Science Fiction Mar. 11/1 page image James H. Schmitz bibliography

    The flat, brown, soft-shelled…bodies of the two Bjantas were being drawn in through one of the Viper’s locks and deposited gently in a preservative tank…. Most of the bunched neural extensions that made them a unit with the mechanisms of their detachable space-shells had been sheared off, of course.

  • 1955 J. H. Schmitz Grandpa in Astounding Science Fiction Feb. 127/2 page image James H. Schmitz bibliography

    The countless neural extensions that connected it now with the raft came free in a succession of sucking, tearing sounds.

  • 1976 M. Bishop And Strange at Ecbatan i. x. 61 Michael Bishop bibliography

    The ones who have roles always require surgical adaptation, electrode implanting, cybernetic neural grafting.

  • 1986 G. Benford & D. Brin Heart of Comet (1987) i. 10 David Brin Gregory Benford bibliography

    Tapped into channels through a direct neural link and wrist servos, she scarcely moved.

  • 1990 S. S. Tepper Raising the Stones i. iv. 108 Sheri S. Tepper bibliography

    A neuropad at the top of each leg matched up to a neuropad on the body, and when the animal entered its exoskeleton, it simply reestablished neural contact.

  • 1997 P. F. Hamilton Escape Route in Interzone 36/2 page image Peter F. Hamilton bibliography

    He ordered his neural nanonics to open a fresh memory cell, and stored the pair of them in a visual file.

  • 2015 G. N. Bossert Twelve & Tag in Asimov’s Science Fiction Mar. 46 page image Gregory Norman Bossert bibliography

    Crew’s got the sort of money for neural backup?

Research requirements

antedating 1951
Earliest cite

James H. Schmitz, in Astounding

Last modified 2021-02-08 18:19:53
In the compilation of some entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries in OED.