energy weapon n.
a weapon that fires a beam of energy; cf. earlier energy gun n.
Weaponry
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[1937
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Jack Williamson
bibliography
He told my father that I had been attacked and overcome by the material energy weapons of the troglodytes, that I was helpless and in need of aid.]
Blue Spot in Astounding Stories Feb. 125/1 -
1941
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A. E. van Vogt
bibliography
The window display was made up of an assortment of rather curiously shaped guns, rifles as well as small arms; and a glowing sign in the window stated: THE FINEST ENERGY WEAPONS IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE.
Seesaw in Astounding Science-Fiction July 60/1
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1944
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Frank Belknap Long
bibliography
The compact little energy weapon in the Interrogator’s clasp tore a gaping hole in the giant’s chest, spun him about, broke his back, and almost cut him in two.
Bridgehead in Astounding Science Fiction Aug. 124/1
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1960
Harry Harrison
bibliography
There were no witnesses to the tragedy, but a number of monitor stations had picked up the discharge static of a large energy weapon being fired.
Misplaced Battleship in Astounding Science Fact & Fiction Apr. 100/1
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1977
Donald Moffitt
bibliography
The tubular thing was obviously an energy weapon of some sort.
Jupiter Theft 167
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1980
Damien Broderick
bibliography
Into the effulgence of the arc-lit crystal mass, his plumage imperial, Anokersh huj Lers stepped like a prince. He bore no energy weapon; the people dared not risk such potency falling into the hands of the ferals.
Dreaming Dragons (1981) 189
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1996
David Weber
bibliography
Another light-second and a half, and she could bring the Manty under fire with her energy weapons.
Honor Among Enemies (1997) 488
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2003
Iain M. Banks
bibliography
They ran out into the rain; the building behind them burned and slumped and fell, turned to glowing slag by the energy weapons.
Look To Windward iv. 70
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2014
bibliography
The Dalek fired its energy weapon and the Doctor dived to the floor…, the energy beam…scorching a long, black line into the wall.
Engines of War viii. 101
Research requirements
antedating 1941
Earliest cite
A.E. van Vogt, The Seesaw
Research History
Mike Christie submitted a 1941 cite from A.E. van Vogt's "The Seesaw".Mike Christie submitted a 1944 cite from Frank Belknap Long's "Bridgehead".
Michael Dolbear submitted a cite from a 1997 reprint of David Weber's 1996 "Honor Among Enemies".
Ralf Brown located and Fred Galvin verified a 1977 cite from Donald Moffitt's "The Jupiter Theft".
Ralf Brown located and Daniel Frankham verified a cite from a 1981 reprint of Damien Broderick's 1980 "The Dreaming Dragons".
Douglas Winston submitted a cite from a reprint of Harry Harrison's "The Stainless Steel Rat"; Mike Christie verified the cite in the 1960 first magazine appearance.
Jeff Prucher submitted a cite from a 2002 reprint of Iain M. Banks' 2000 "Look to Windward"
Last modified 2020-12-20 18:37:51
In the compilation of some
entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries
in OED.