tractor beam

== English == === Etymology === Possibly a shortening of attractor beam; note however the broader meaning of tractor (“machinery that pulls something”). Coined by American science fiction author E. E. Smith in 1931 in his novel Spacehounds of IPC, first serialized in Amazing Stories. === Noun === tractor beam (plural tractor beams) (science fiction) A device-generated beam used to attract other objects from a distance. Antonyms: pressor beam, repulsor beam ==== Translations ==== === References === Jeff Prucher, editor (2007), “tractor beam”, in Brave New Words: The Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction, Oxford, Oxfordshire; New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, →ISBN. Jesse Sheidlower, editor (2001–2026), “tractor beam n.”, in Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction. === Further reading === tractor beam on Wikipedia.Wikipedia