Full record for esper n.

Definition	a person with extrasensory powers
OED requirements	antedating 1942
Earliest cite	E.E. Smith, "Storm Cloud on Deka"
Comment	Brian Ameringen suggested Bester's 1952 novel "The Demolished Man", and Mike Christie then found a citation. Jeff Wolfe submitted a cite from a reprint of Alfred Bester's "Oddy and Id", and Mike Christie verified the cite in the 1950 original appearance. Douglas Winston submitted a cite from a 1980 reprint of Andre Norton's 1970 "Dread Companion". Douglas Winston submitted a 1991 cite from Christopher Stasheff's "Warlock and Son". Malcolm Farmer submitted a cite from a reprint of George O. Smith's "Highways in Hiding"; Mike Christie verified the cite in the 1955 first magazine appearance. Katrina Campbell submitted a cite from a 1977 reprint of Andre Norton's 1968 "The Zero Stone". Malcolm Farmer submitted a 1978 cite from a book review by Richard Lupoff. Fred Galvin submitted a 1942 cite from "Storm Cloud on Deka" by E.E. Smith
Last modified	12 August, 2009

Citations for esper n.

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1952 A. Bester in Galaxy Sci. Fiction Jan. 13/1	The court is cognizant of the fact that Extra Sensory Experts perform valuable services for society in many walks of life‥the Esper Medical Doctor, the Esper Attorney, the Esper Educator, the Esper Criminologist‥to mention only a few; yet the Esper expert cannot properly be admitted to any court to give Esper evidence for the record. [both ellipses in original]
1970 A. Norton Dread Companion (1980) 24	He shook his head, his frown deeper. ‘No, it is true—how could you have known? The matter was only reported to me this morning after the flitter was found. Only a few knew it. But how did she know? Is she esper?’ His suggestion was logical, though I had never known so young an esper to be able to hide such power.
1972 J. Blish Star Trek 8 89	It is a fact some people can sense future events, read the backs of playing cards and so on. But the Esper ability is always quite limited.
1984 M. Bradley World Wreckers 22	No machine is proof against an esper. You've been winning too damned often.
1988 Locus Apr. 27/2	Bruce McAllister has a Nebula nominee this year in ‘Dream Baby’, about the military exploitation of esper ‘talents’.
1990 D. Duane Doctor's Orders iii. 73	There was no direct way to test esper ratings in a new species.