non-human n.
a non-human creature or organism, such as an animal, an alien, or a supernatural being; = unhuman n.
Aliens
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1927
If this planet were to be invaded by Martians, nationality would be forgotten, for all races would be united against these non-Earthians. And if, further, these Martians were tentacled creatures, such as Wells describes them, sex would be forgotten, for both men and women would be united against these non-humans.
Simplification of Grammar in The Vote 2 Sept. 276/2 -
1942
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Lester del Rey
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Fats has some funny ideas about nonhumans, but he’s a good-hearted sort, on the whole.
Wings of Night in Astounding Science-Fiction Mar. 52/1 -
1943
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Hal Clement
They bore some resemblance to the nonhumans of Tau Ceti’s first planet, having evidently evolved from a radially symmetric, star[-]fishlike form to a somewhat more specialized type with differentiated locomotive and prehensile appendages.
Attitude in Astounding Science Fiction Sept. 13/1 -
1945
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A. E. van Vogt
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First, the word ‘alien’ seems all wrong. There are too many human beings involved. Gosseyn, human beings would not co-operate with nonhumans.
World of Null-A in Astounding Science Fiction Oct. 93/1 -
1952
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Poul Anderson
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I groaned at that thought and tried desperately to assure myself that Kathryn’s technical knowledge would keep her in the possession of a nonhuman.
Star Plunderer in Planet Stories Sept. 58/1 -
1957
Andre Norton
And oddly enough it also bothered him to occupy a post which earlier had served not a nonhuman such as Sssuri, whom he admired, but a humanoid whom he had been taught from childhood to avoid—if not fear.
Star Born (1958) 45 -
1977
Alan Dean Foster
Not that it mattered anyway. The Qwarm clan had often accepted assignments from nonhumans.
End of Matter 70 -
1982
Isaac Asimov
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Right now, I think that if you thought you were going to encounter nonhumans, you wouldn’t worry about having been captured…if they but gave you a little time to sate your curiosity.
Foundation’s Edge 284 -
1995 Extrapolation Spring 33
‘Everyone’s human’, he blithely informs the Vulcan Spock, who urbanely replies on behalf of the film’s many eloquent nonhumans: ‘I find that remark insulting’.
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2002
Julie E. Czerneda
I opened my mouth to contradict his humanocentric view of things, given the Heerii Drapsk had found the Rugheran homeworld and I, another non-Human, had already had a more-or-less successful encounter with a member of the species.
To Trade Stars 32 -
2006
Jared remembered that the Empee was trained to his BrainPal; it wouldn’t fire for a nonhuman.
Ghost Brigades (2007) vi. 135
Research requirements
antedating 1927
Research History
Edward Bornstein submitted a 1954 cite from Robert Heinlein's "Star Lummox".Enoch Forrester submitted a cite from a reprint of Isaac Asimov's "Foundation's Edge"; Mike Christie verified the cite in the 1982 first edition.
Malcolm Farmer submitted a cite from a reprint of Poul Anderson's "The Star Plunderer"; Mike Christie verified the cite in the 1952 original magazine appearance.
Douglas Winston submitted a 1977 cite from Alan Dean Foster's "The End of the Matter".
Douglas Winston submitted a 2002 cite from Julie Czerneda's "To Trade the Stars".
Douglas Winston submitted a cite from a 1990 reprint of Allan Cole and Chris Bunch's 1986 "The Court of a Thousand Suns".
Douglas Winston submitted a cite from a 1966 reprint of Andre Norton's 1957 "Star Born"; Mike Christie verified the cite in a 1958 edition.
Mike Christie submitted a 1945 cite from A. E. van Vogt's "World of Null-A".
Mike Christie submitted a 1943 cite from Hal Clement's "Attitude".
Fred Galvin submitted a cite from a 1950 reprint of Donald A. Wollheim's "Ajax of Ajax" (published under the pseudonym "Martin Pearson"); we would like to verify the cite in its first publication in Future, August, 1942.
Fred Galvin submitted a cite from a reprint of Lester del Rey's 1942 "The Wings of Night": Mike Christie verified it in its first publication.
Simon Koppel submitted a 1927 cite from The Vote: The Organ of the Women's Freedom League.
See the note on the adjective form of "non-human" for more information.
Last modified 2021-04-17 03:17:17
In the compilation of some
entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries
in OED.