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Definition 2024
ansible
ansible
English
Noun
ansible (plural ansibles)
- (science fiction) A hypothetical device that enables users to communicate instantaneously across great distances; that is, a faster-than-light communication device.
- 1966, Ursula K. Le Guin, Rocannon's World, reprinted in Worlds of Exile and Illusion, Macmillan (1996), ISBN 978-0-312-86211-4, page 25:
- “You remember the ansible, the machine I showed you in the ship, which can speak instantly to other worlds, with no loss of years– […] ”
- 1985, Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game, reprinted by Macmillan (2002), ISBN 978-0-765-34229-4, page 251:
- “ […] The master ansible is there, in contact with all our invasion fleet; the ships are all working, ready to fight. […] ”
- 2008, Elizabeth Moon, Victory Conditions, reprint by Random House (2009), ISBN 9780345491626, page 39,
- Ky had allotted two hours here, time to strip the news from the ansible, share it, even discuss it, but she didn’t plan to have everyone clustered and vulnerable.
- 1966, Ursula K. Le Guin, Rocannon's World, reprinted in Worlds of Exile and Illusion, Macmillan (1996), ISBN 978-0-312-86211-4, page 25:
Translations
hypothetical device