nova v.

to cause to become a nova; to destroy (a star, planet, etc.); (intransitive): (of a star) to become a nova; (more generally, of a star, planet, etc.) to explode

SF Encyclopedia


  • 1949 R. A. Heinlein Gulf in Astounding Science-Fiction Nov. 89/1 page image Robert A. Heinlein

    Youโ€™ve heard of the asteroid โ€˜Earth-Antiโ€™?โ€ฆ It ainโ€™t there any more. Itโ€™s been novaed.

  • 1950 J. D. MacDonald Shadow on Sand in Thrilling Wonder Stories Oct. 16/2

    We can nova a sun, explode a planet, blast a sea into steam in a tenth of a second.

  • 1954 P. Anderson Lord of Thousand Suns in D. A. Wollheim Tales of Outer Space 84 Poul Anderson bibliography

    And from study of the reports I even thought I knew about what and where it would be: one of the weapons that had novaed suns, a million years ago.

  • 1955 G. C. Edmondson Blessed Are Meek in Astounding Science Fiction Sept. 126/2

    The court astronomer had a vision of our planet in flames. I imagine you'd say our sun was about to nova.

  • 1959 D. A. Wollheim Secret of Ninth Planet 28 Donald A. Wollheim

    We have not yet completed all our calculations, but preliminary studies indicate that if this type of solar interference is not stopped, it may cause our Sun to nova in somewhere between two and three years time.

  • 1968 J. Sutton & J. Sutton Programmed Man 9

    No world is apt to rebel against a power which could nova its sun, Captain.

  • 1968 S. R. Delany Corona in Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction Oct. 92/2 Samuel R. Delany

    Bryan Faust walked across the platform to the microphones. Comets soared over his shoulders and disappeared under his arms. Suns novaed on his chest. Meteors flashed around his elbows.

  • 1993 L. E. Modesitt, Jr. Timegod in Timegods' World (2000) 465 L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

    Freyda still wanted to sun-tunnel the planet or nova the sun. Odin Thor wanted to send the whole Temporal Guard back with thunderbolts.

  • 2002 Analog Science Fiction & Fact Mar. 133/1

    Eight centuries past, a larger war ended when the Idirans novaed two suns in a last-ditch attempt to ward off the Culture.


Research requirements

antedating 1949

Earliest cite

Robert A. Heinlein, Gulf

Research History
Rick Hauptmann submitted a cite from a reprint of Robert Heinlein's "Gulf", which Mike Christie verified in the 1949 first magazine appearance. Mike Christie found a reference to a cite in Tom Easton's "Reference Library" column in the March 2002 Analog; Robert Woodward and Tom Easton both verified the cite in the magazine. Malcolm Farmer submitted a cite from a reprint of Poul Anderson's 1951 "The Lord of a Thousand Suns"; Mike Christie verified the cite in a 1954 reprint. Douglas Winston submitted a cite from a 2000 reprint of L.E. Modesitt's "The Timegod". Brandon Ray submitted a 1968 cite from Jean and Jeff Sutton's "The Programmed Man". Fred Galvin submitted a cite from a 1963 reprint of John D. Macdonald's 1950 story "Shadow on the Sand" which Mike Christie verified in the 1950 original publication. FROM DUPLICATE ENTRY: Aline Thompson suggested and Mike Christie located a 1952 cite from Robert Heinlein's "The Year of the Jackpot". David Eppstein submitted a cite from a 1977 reprint of William Burroughs' "Nova Express'. Mike Christie submitted a cite from a reprint of Harry Harrison's "Bill, the Galactic Hero"; Douglas Winston verified the cite in a 1966 reprint. The cite does not appear in the magazine version. Ralf Brown located and Edward Keyes submitted a 1959 cite from Donald A. Wollheim's "The Secret of the Ninth Planet". Ralf Brown located and Mike Christie submitted a 1967 cite from Samuel R. Delany's "Corona". Malcolm Farmer submitted a 1955 cite from G.C. Edmondson's "Blessed Are The Meek".

Last modified 2021-01-11 21:50:38
In the compilation of some entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries in OED.