ion gun n.
an energy weapon that emits ions
Also in use since the 1930s to describe an actual ion-emitting device used in physics, materials science, etc.
Weaponry
-
1935
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John W. Campbell, Jr.
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By dawn the Polshins were inspecting old atomic cruisers, looking again at the old ion-guns that had swept death through a thousand corridors in past years.
Conquest of the Planets in Amazing Stories Feb. 32/1 -
1943
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Hal Clement
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You’re free to try any smuggling you want, but be careful. They already know what an ion gun looks like, and we have been told that they’re very good at guessing. We don’t know, of course, what articles besides weapons they don’t want us to have; so be careful in taking anything you think they might object to. I'm going to take this load up.
Attitude in Astounding Science-Fiction Sept. 24/1 -
1951
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Jack Vance
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He’s committed murder…. Just an hour or so ago with an ion gun.
Overlords of Maxus in Thrilling Wonder Stories Feb. 51/2 -
1963
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Brian W. Aldiss
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He moved toward his suit. Reluctantly, he climbed into it, menaced continually by the ion-gun.
Impossible Star in World of Tomorrow Aug. 159/1 -
1979
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John M. Ford
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Ye canna shoot me with an ion-gun.
Stone Crucible in Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine Aug. 62 -
1997
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John Whitman
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We’ve got a portable ion gun. It’s used to fight off attacking airships.
Army of Terror (Star Wars: Galaxy of Fear) 55 -
2003
Rajnar Vajra
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‘Any of you Dust Devils care to astonish us with your profound knowledge of energy weapons? How about you, Dave? Then kindly lose the smirk and listen up. Go ahead, Chou.’ ‘Sure, John, but I hardly consider myself an expert. Here’s what I do know: basically an ion-plasma cannon, or “blast-torch,” is a semi-portable rocket engine combined with an ion gun and a tracking system.’ Larker could tell from the blank looks that he’d already left everyone but Davies a mile behind.
Shootout at Nokai Corral in Analog Science Fiction & Fact Mar. x. 107/2
Research requirements
antedating 1935
Last modified 2022-03-11 15:53:02
In the compilation of some
entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries
in OED.