ultraphone

English

Alternative forms

• ultrophone

Etymology

From ultra- +‎ phone.

Noun

ultraphone (plural ultraphones)

1. (science fiction) A telephone capable of transmitting communications faster than the speed of light.
   • 1955, James Blish, Earthman, Come Home (Cities in Flight; 1), New York, N.Y.: Avon Books, published 1958, page 29:

     Amalfi wondered if the Hruntans understood English; not that he was worried about the present interchange being overheard—the giant planet would block that most effectively, since the Utopians used ordinary radio rather than ultraphones or Dirac communicators—but it was of the utmost importance, if Hazleton's scheme was to be made workable, that the Hruntans should have heard and understood the warning the Earth police had issued to the city.

References

• Jesse Sheidlower, editor (2001–2024), “ultraphone, n.”, in Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction.