first contact

English

Noun

first contact (usually uncountable, plural first contacts)

  1. (anthropology) The first meeting between people of two previously unknown cultures.
  2. (science fiction) The first meeting between humans and extraterrestrials.
    • 1935 March, Murray Leinster, “Proxima Centauri”, in Astounding Stories, volume 15, number 1, New York: Street & Smith Publications, page 21:
      He had piloted the Adastra to its first contact with the civilization of another solar system. His lifework was done and he was wholly prepared to rest.
    • 1990 April 23, Dennis Putman Bailey, David Bischoff, “Tin Man”, in Star Trek: The Next Generation, season 3, episode 20, spoken by Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis):
      Tam is a telepath of extraordinary talent, even for a Betazoid. He's a specialist in first contact with new life forms.
    • 2008, BioWare, Mass Effect, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: First Contact War Codex entry:
      Humanity’s first contact with an alien race occurred in 2157. At that time, the Alliance allowed survey fleets to activate any dormant mass relays discovered, a practice considered dangerous and irresponsible by Council-aligned races. When a turian patrol discovered a human fleet attempting to activate a relay, they attacked. One human vessel survived, retreating to the colony of Shanxi.
  3. (astronomy) The moment, during an eclipse or transit, when the apparent positions of the two bodies first touch.
    Coordinate terms: second contact, third contact, fourth contact

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