Speedog's definitions

de-orbit

Verb: To descend (as in a spacecraft) from orbit around the Earth, or other planetary body.

"Following their mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, the crew of the Space Shuttle successfully executed their de-orbit procedure and landed safely at the Kennedy Space Center."

by speedog April 24, 2010

Time barrier

Noun: the theoretical limit of real-time velocity in the known universe, at which point positive time halts, and the mass of any object traveling at that speed become infinite and incapable of any increase in velocity.

"In 1994, Dr. Miguel Alcubierre formulated a hypothetical propulsion system that could, in theory, break the time barrier."

by speedog June 25, 2010

turtle

Verb (nautical terminology): to capsize, as in a boat, ship, or other sea-going vessel.

After a merciless bombardment by American dive bombers, the Japanese superbattleship "Yamato" turned turtle and sank, taking nearly her entire crew to the bottom.

by speedog July 27, 2010

demolecularize

Verb: to reduce, especially by artificial means, any material object down to to its constituent components at the molecular level.

"With no response after repeated hailing attempts on multiple frequencies, the President issued the order to demolecularize the intruding aircraft."

by speedog May 2, 2010

Roman salute

Noun: a manner of military salutation allegedly peculiar to ancient Rome, in which the right arm and hand are extended and elevated in the direction of any superior officer, or in the absence of any such superior, in the geographical direction of Rome itself, accompanied by the Latin phrase "Ave Caesar" ("Hail Caesar").

"Immediately upon taking command of the Antonia fortress, the tribune Messala executed the Roman salute to the former fortress commandant."

by speedog May 2, 2010

Climb Mount Nitaka

Phrase (WW II Japanese military): code phrase authorizing the activation of "Operation Z", the Japanese attack on U.S. naval forces based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Once Emperor Hirohito had given his assent to Operation Z, the code phrase "Climb Mount Nitaka" was transmitted to Admiral Yamamoto.

by speedog July 7, 2010

Traveller

Name: the equestrian mount of Confederate General Robert E. Lee during his service as commander of The Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War (a.k.a. The War Between the States).

During the Battle of Gettysburg, Traveller maintained his composure regardless of the bullets that were flying around himself and General Lee.

by speedog June 16, 2010