Appendix:English science fiction terms

The following is a list of science fiction terms encountered in English-language science fiction works. As most are undefined, of unclear meaning and used only in their creator's works, they cannot have a regular entry.

H

hotello, noun

• 2017, Kim Stanley Robinson, New York 2140, Orbit, published 2017, →ISBN, page 24:

  Hotellos were rooms that could be packed into a suitcase. They were often deployed inside other buildings, being not very sturdy. Usually they provided private space inside crowded larger spaces.

I

insosuit, noun

• 1950, Isaac Asimov, I, Robot, HarperCollins Publishers, published 2018, →ISBN, page 44:

  The insosuit was far bulkier and far uglier than the regulation spacesuit; but withal considerably lighter, due to the fact that they were entirely nonmetallic in composition. Composed of heat-resistant plastic and chemically treated cork layers, and equipped with a desiccating unit to keep the air bone-dry, the insosuits could withstand the full glare of Mercury’s sun for twenty minutes. Five to ten minutes more, as well, without actually killing the occupant.

V

visiplate, noun

• 1950, Isaac Asimov, I, Robot, HarperCollins Publishers, published 2018, →ISBN, page 45:

  He was thankful for the light filters in their visiplates. Beautiful or not, a look at the sunlight through straight glass would have blinded them inside of half a minute.