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Welcome to the Transformers Fanon Glossary! This page is intended as a centralized source for Transformers-related terms that have come into usage (common or otherwise) in Transformers fanfiction, but do not have an actual source in canon. That's right! We're trying to make this page as canon-free as possible! Others far more attentive than I in their Transformers viewing and reading can handle the canon stuff. What we're focusing on here is all the cool words that we, the fans, have come up with ourselves. Know a good one that I left out? Email me (my email address is at the bottom of the page, because I like spambots) and add it, but please, if it's not yours, give proper credit, okay? On the same note, if I'm crediting a source to the wrong person, feel free to contact me and let me know.
All letters sections and words in this document have inline anchors associated with them, so that other writers of fanfiction can, if desired, link directly to the definitions of the words they're using. Link names are all a single word, with no special characters or capitalizations (for example, "Artists' Quarter" becomes "artistsquarter" if you're going to link directly to it). If you do use such direct links, kindly drop me an email to let me know.
Not all words are suitable for all fanfic universes. Actual use is, of course, left to the discretion of each fanfic writer.
Armet - Helm with moving parts and/or a moveable visor-attachment. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Artists' Quarter - An area of a city inhabited primarily by artists. Contributed by Lunatron
ASR - Alpha Search and Rescue. Because no one likes saying that name in its entirety too often. Contributed by Paradox006.
Astrocycle - One rotation of Cybertron/one Cybertronian day/100 megacycles. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Astroquart - One-quarter of a standard astrolitre [one normal-sized energon cube]. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Autobot ____ Net - Where the ____ is the name of whatever planet it's being used on. In the case of the Earthforce, it's the Autobot Earth Net. A simplified version of the Space Bridge, it allows for transportation from any one location on a planet to any other, provided it is safe to do so (not inside a wall, no interfering radiation, etc) and the co-ordinates are known. Done by bending space so that two distance points meet and controlled by Teletran-4. Contributed by Names are unimportant.
Barthaube - An armoured extension of the lower mandible at the chin, comprising of anything from a visible armour plate on the chin to extensive plate "moustaches." Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Batticuli - Armour covering the pelvic unit, where the pelvis is split by a transform joint. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
-binder - A way of describing gestalts. Devastator is a six-binder, Bruticus is a five-binder. Contributed by Wayward
Brassard - Piece of armour covering the entire arm [i.e. an arm without joints or hand, or with only an elbow joint, such as Omega Supreme's left arm]. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Bucca - the area of the face around the buccal ridge, i.e. the cheek area. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Buccal ridge - one of the supporting struts of the standard Decepticon head, running from the temple beneath the optic sock to fuse with the nasal strut. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Byrnie - general term covering the armour of the torso. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Carcanet - An adorned or non-standard gorget. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Casque - Helm with large or extensive non-standard sensor attachments. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Catalyzed energon - The non-volatile form of energon that exists in Transformer fuel lines. Contributed by kidu.
'Catching a nova' - Phrase that implies that the subject is doing something incredibly stupid and is about to suffer greatly for it. e.g. "Man, Cliffjumper just went and charged Bruticus by himself again! He's going to be catching a nova if he keeps it up." Contributed by Scopeshot.
Cerametal - Higher-cost alternative to thermodermic plating; a metal-ceramic alloy capable of withstanding immense heat whilst retaining the qualities of armour plating. Cerametal requires more complex construction procedures, more material and more skilled technicians to make than standard thermodermis, and is therefore reserved for Decepticons who have a functional need for it; i.e. space-capable fliers. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Chamfron - A flat plate or segment of armour on the forehead of the helm. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Chausses - General term covering the armour for the legs. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Chemical Emotive Sculpture - The art of manipulating and shaping emotion through chemical means. Contributed by Lunatron
Chestplate - Armour covering the breast area. Also called breastplate or asbergo. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Cimier - A helm with sensor attachments outside of the normal 'block' unit. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Circulation fluid - Almost always shortened to "circ fluid," the liquid coolant that is pumped round the body of a TF through a series of tubes and heat exchangers. The circ fluid contains the CLA, and exists within its own discrete system, separate from the energon system. Contributed by Alirion.
Citylord - An Autobot ruler of a city with little or no military influence. Contributed by Wayward.
CLA - acronym for Circulating Leukocyte Analogues, the nanotechnological constructions in the circ fluid that protect the systems against contamination by pathogens or foreign matter. Subdivided into detritophagous, thrombic, and xenolytic classifications. Contributed by Alirion.
Collected Gestalt - A gestalt whose members weren't built at the same time and had combining technology added later in life. ( Possibly the Combaticons. ) Contributed by Wayward
Commune - The state of a Monitor tied into Cybertron's systems. Contributed by Wayward
Costa - Armour covering the region analogous to the human rib-area, i.e. the area of venting on a Seeker. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Couter - flexible armour, often recessed, covering the joints such as knee and elbow. Also called cops. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Created Gestalt - A gestalt whose members were all built at the same time and originally designed to combine, such as the Stunticons. Contributed by Wayward
Cuirass - Piece of armour covering the entire torso area [i.e. an armoured torso without transform joints]. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Cuissards - Armour covering the entire leg [i.e. a leg with only a knee joint and no pedes, such as Astrotrain's]. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Cuisses - Armour covering the thighs. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Cyberbiotic Deconstructionalism - Art created by killing other robots. More commonly known as slogism. Contributed by Wayward
Cyberneticides - Along with electro-sanitizers (canon), components of the self-repair system. See also xenolytic nanites, synaptogenics, topoisotronics and replicatives. Contributed by kidu.
Dabbler - The nice way to refer to someone who does art as a hobby. Also called a hobbyist. Artists tend to call them poseurs. Contributed by Wayward
Dark Lights - Constructs created during the Golden Age, used to light the areas affected during the Dark Season. They have currently been recalibrated to only work for certain areas and for certain periods of time to conserve energy. Contributed by Paradox006.
Dark Season - A period of time in which Cybertron's orbit puts most of the planet in absolute darkness for approximately four months (in Cybertronian measure of time). During this time, most all travel outside of secured facilities and/or cities grinds to a halt. Contributed by Paradox006
Datatap - An extension of the Cybertronian body that lets them tap into computers. Datataps come in a plethora of styles. Contributed by Wayward
Decavorn - Cybertronian century - 100 Cybertronian years [833 Earth years]. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Decicycle - One Cybertronian second [0.498 Earth seconds]/one astrosecond. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Decilivorn - Cybertronian time unit - 10,000 Cybertronian years [83,333 Earth years]. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Dermaplating - a form of Decepticon armour. Dermaplating has the highest concentration of, and most sensitive types of, tactile sensor. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Dirtkisser - Derogatory slang among flyers for those who cannot fly. See also mudslogger, groundpounder, or dustkicker. Contributed by Scopeshot.
Diun - Cybertronian "month" - 25 Cybertronian days [121 Earth days]. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Drafter's Datapad - A datapad that lies flat on a table and projects a 3D hologram above it. The hologram can be altered with a stylus made for the purpose. Contributed by Wayward
Drafting Datapad - See Drafter's Datapad. Contributed by Wayward
Dustkicker - Derogatory slang among flyers for those who cannot fly. See also mudslogger, groundpounder or dirtkisser. Contributed by Scopeshot.
Earthbound - Catch-all term, usually applied only to Autobots, for those Transformers who were either in the original Ark/Nemesis crash or served on Earth after the two respective faction leaders awakened. Contributed by Scopeshot.
Ectodermis - the outermost layers of armour. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Emanation - A thought or feeling conveyed through a Cybertronian's personal energy field, detectable by others. ( "She radiated an emanation of annoyance." ) Contributed by Wayward
Ennead - (Decepticon term) A group of nine, be they bonded or not. Contributed by Evil Killer Poptarts
Enneadmate - Used by one member of an ennead when referring to another member. Indirectly contributed by Wayward and Evil Killer Poptarts.
Epauliere - armour covering the shoulder region. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Equilibrium sensors - A part of the proprioceptive system. (Because kidu forgot it was a telemeter Starscream mentioned at one point, but it stuck.) Contributed by kidu.
Espe - Decepticon measurement of distance, width of three fingers of the standard-size Decepticon [approx 3 feet]. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Fauld - Armour covering the central abdominal region. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Flanks - Armour below the costa and above the hip area, often recessed. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Flight - A Decepticon combat unit of seventy-five, made up of five Wings. Contributed by Wayward.
Front Lines - A term primarily used by the ASR crew, used to describe the war in general. Can also refer to the soldiers as Front Liners. Contributed by Paradox006.
Gadlings - Knuckle or finger spikes, usually retractable. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Gauntlet - Armour covering the arm from the elbow downwards, including the whole of the hand. Often includes a weapon or tool attachment [i.e. Shockwave's gun-arm]. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Gestaltmate - Used by one member of a gestalt when referring to another member. Contributed by Wayward
Glossa - The airborne-particle sensory array located in the lower jaw assembly of the standard Decepticon head, analogous in position to the human tongue, and primary scent-sensor. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Gorget - Armour protecting the throat. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Greaves - Armour covering the lower leg, where the front part is thicker, or there is an extra plate around the front part of the leg. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Groundpounder - Derogatory slang among flyers for those who cannot fly. See also mudslogger, dustkicker or dirtkisser. Contributed by Scopeshot.
Groundbound - Slang term for a Cybertronian with a ground-vehicle mode. Sometimes derogatory. Contributed by Wayward.
Hekavorn - Cybertronian time unit - 100,000 Cybertronian years [833,333 Earth years]. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Helm - armour covering the cranial support structure, usually formed of one external plate unit, with standard 'block'-type sensor attachments. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Hexad - A subgroup of six, such as the Constructicons. Contributed by Wayward
Hexadmate - Used by one member of a hexad when referring to another member. Indirectly contributed by Wayward
Hister - Decepticon measurement of distance, two paces of the standard-height Decepticon [approx 60 feet/18 metres]. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Ingiunal - Armour covering the pelvic unit without joints or sectioning. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Jambs - Armour covering the lower leg. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Jarnac - General term covering the armour for the arms. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Kaumorrhage - Uncontrolled loss of fuel through breached conduit. Contributed by Alirion.
Ketten - Group of three jets, may imply "V" formation. See also vic and shotai. Contributed by Lunatron
Kilohister - Decepticon "kilometre" - 1000 hister [approx 11 miles/18 kilometres]. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Kilovorn - Cybertronian millennium - 1,000 Cybertronian years [8,333 Earth years]. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Lower mandible - The mobile ridge-plate assembly of the standard Decepticon, analogous in position to the human lower jaw. The lower mandible is attached to the upper mandibulary plate and cranial support structure at the rear points [it does not extend upwards as the human jaw does]. It is comprised of a curved outer ridge [lower mandibulary ridge] with a solid plate structure [lower mandibulary plate] forming the base of the 'jaw'. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Mah'hil - A Cybertronian strategy board game loosely described as 'chess in a cube' even though it's inaccurate. Contributed by Wayward
Mandenta - the interlocking extensions of the upper mandibulary plate and lower mandible ridge, analogous in position to human teeth. The mandenta are designed to interlock to brace the upper and lower mandibulary structures and prevent or lessen damage on impact. Mechanisms wearing facial guard often have fused mandenta, or completely fused mandibulary ridges. Although the mandenta are usually sharp, sometimes serrated and on occasion faceted to resemble organic teeth [if the mechanism in question wishes to look threatening to local organics] the biting power of the Decepticon jaw assembly is weak in relation to overall size and strength. The standard jaw assembly will cut soft cable but not much more. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Megacycle - One Cybertronian hour [83 Earth minutes]. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Megavorn - Cybertronian time unit - 1,000,000 Cybertronian years [8,333,333 Earth years]. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Monitor - Capitalized, it's a Decepticon who can tie into Cybertron's systems and in essence become one with the planet. Contributed by Wayward
Mudslogger - Derogatory slang among flyers for those who cannot fly. See also groundpounder, dustkicker or dirtkisser. Contributed by Scopeshot.
Nanolytic - Chemical designed to destroy nanites [nano "extremely small" + lytic "of, relating to, or causing a specified kind of decomposition", both from Greek] Contributed by Lunatron.
Nasal ridge - One of the supporting struts of the standard Decepticon head, running from the supraorbital struts to the upper mandibulary plate. Often reinforced to the point of becoming a prominent facial feature [thus providing much greater integrity to the facial support structure]. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
No-face - An infant Quintesson Judge, organic part only. Contributed by kidu.
Nonine - (Autobot term) A group of nine, bonded or otherwise. Contributed by Evil Killer Poptarts.
Noninemate - Used by one member of a nonine when referring to another member. Indirectly contributed by Wayward and Evil Killer Poptarts.
Opposor - Digit of the standard Decepticon hand analogous in position to the human thumb. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Pauldron - Epaulieres that are separate units from the rest of the arm, or have alt-mode parts prominently attached. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Pedes - Supporting/balancing structure attached by hinges to the base of the leg of a Cybertronian, analogous in location to the human foot. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Picoforge - Internal component that manufactures picotrons. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Picotrons - Cybertronian nanites. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Placard - A part of the body that, during transformation, fits behind the chestplate as reinforcement. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Plainhelm - Helm with no sensor attachments. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Plasmatic radiation - Form of radiation given off by circuits damaged by plasma energy. Appears in the blue end of the visible spectrum in atmosphere, due to the slowing of the waveform by the atmospheric molecules; invisible in vacuum. Contributed by Alirion.
Plastron - Chestplate divided by a transformation joint. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Primary - The shortened version of primary function. Contributed by Wayward
Proptovene - plate of armour with a soft spongy underside, analogous in position to the human eyelid. The purpose of the proptovene is to protect the optic crystal from damage, and also clean off any particles that might accumulate on the optic surface. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Pseudo-surface - The grid of roads and flat areas that looks like a broken shell on Cybertron when seen from space. Contributed by kidu.
Quintad - A subgroup of five, such as the Dinobots. Contributed by Wayward
Quintadmate - Used by one member of a quintad when referring to another member. Indirectly contributed by Wayward
Quintun - Cybertronian "week" - 5 Cybertronian days [24 Earth days]. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Replicatives - Along with electro-sanitizers (canon), components of the self-repair system. See also xenolytic nanites, synaptogenics, cyberneticides and topoisotronics. Contributed by kidu.
Rerebrace - Upper arm plate, covering the part between the epauliere and the elbow. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Saboton - armour covering the pedes. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Salivacid - A mixture of acidic liquids produced by chemical micromanufactories in the upper mandibulary plate. The purpose of salivacid is to trap foreign particles and dissolve them, preventing them from infiltrating and damaging more vulnerable internal structures. It also aids the function of the glossa. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Section Vector - Black ops section of the Autobot command, established under Sentinel Prime and given basic autonomy to do whatever they feel is necessary to preserve peace and universal stability. Also called Vector Section. Contributed by Names are unimportant.
Shotai - Group of three jets, may imply "V" formation. See also vic and ketten. Contributed by Lunatron.
Slate - A robot taken apart and rebuilt, typically against his/her will, typically at a party for the amusement of artists; often taken apart for party favours afterwards. Contributed by Lunatron.
Slating - The act of taking apart and rebuilding a robot, typically against his/her will, typically at a party for the amusement of artists; sometimes used as a rite of passage. Contributed by Lunatron.
Spacer - Slang term for a Cybertronian with a space-vehicle mode. Sometimes derogatory. Contributed by Wayward.
Spook - A term for a spy, particularly one associated with the military. Example: Soundwave and his ilk. Not actually a Transformers fanon term, but a real life military slang term that the fandom believed was obscure enough to include here for informational purposes.
Strategitorium - Tactical planning chamber. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Supraoptic ridge - One of the two supporting struts of the standard Decepticon head, arching over the optic sockets, fused at the inner end to the nasal ridge and at the outer end to the buccal ridge. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Survey, the - Short for Deep Space Planetary Survey or somesuch. The organization under whose aegis Skyfire and Starscream left Cybertron. Contributed by kidu.
Swapping paint - Slang term for cuddling/snogging/bonding/what have you. Contributed by Evil Killer Poptarts.
Synaptogenics - Along with electro-sanitizers (canon), components of the self-repair system. See also xenolytic nanites, cyberneticides, topoisotronics and replicatives. Contributed by kidu.
Tactile - Someone whose primary sense is touch ( as in, "Armature is a tactile." ) Contributed by Wayward
Tensor - A cable, pulley or other motor-ligament system designed to tighten or stretch a limb. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Terracycle - One rotation of Earth/one Earth day/24 Earth hours. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Thermodermis - A semi-transparent outer layer of standard Decepticon armour, designed to absorb plasma damage and burn off harmlessly. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Topoisotronics - Along with electro-sanitizers (canon), components of the self-repair system. See also xenolytic nanites, synaptogenics, cyberneticides, and replicatives. Contributed by kidu.
Touch Sculpture - A sculpture meant to be experienced by touch. Specifically, an abstract made to convey a certain feeling when touched. Contributed by Wayward
Trine - A subgroup of three, such as the Insecticons. Contributed by Wayward
Trinemate - Used by one member of a trine when referring to another member. Contributed by Wayward
TSV - Terminal Systemic Viremia, a rapidly fatal condition caused by a T-lymphotropic virus related to HIV, which was responsible for reducing the population of Earth by about ten percent in the later years of the twenty-first century. Contributed by Alirion.
UAC - The University of Alien Cultures. A Cybertronian institution for the study of the alien races that the Transformers have encountered. Contributed by Sunstar.
Unilink - Faster-than-light communications network and information transfer system. Originally a more primitive Amaranthine version of the Web, but upgraded as more worlds came under Amaranthine hegemony and gave up their technological prowess to the central government of Amaranth. Censor blocks were removed after the Black Dawn, and the central Unilink information repositories and servers on Amaranth were improved by the Decepticons when they took possession of Amaranth itself. Not unlike Le Guin's ansible. Contributed by Alirion.
Upper mandibulary plate - One of the solid plates of the standard Decepticon head, analogous in position to the human upper jaw, fused at the centre to the nasal ridge and at the outer ends to the cranial support structure. The upper mandibulary plate is flat and solid. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Vambrace - Armour for the forearm, from wrist to elbow. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Vector Guards - Large, multi-limbed creatures of spark-searing power, spawned from Vector Sigma itself as a defense against all things not spawned from Vector Sigma. Not apparently capable of communication, a nigh unstoppable dreadnaught of power. Contributed by Names are unimportant.
Vector Section - See Section Vector. Contributed by Names are unimportant.
Vetus - Elite group of veteran Seekers, forming a core of hardened shock troops. Contributed by KoiLungFish.
Vic - Group of three jets, may imply "V" formation. See also ketten or shotai. Contributed by Lunatron
Vid Boards - The Cybertronian equivalent to billboards on Earth, made out of a special holo-solid material (meaning it has the appearance and flexibility of a holographic image but is still quite tangible). Are popular graffiti targets around ASR's more bored mechanics. Contributed by Paradox006.
Vivincorporation - Art that involves taking a live Transformer and making him into something else, such as a door or table, without killing him/her in the process [derived from vivi- "living; alive," which derives from the Latin vividus, from vivere, "to live," plus incorporation "to unite," which derives from Middle English incorporaten, from Late Latin incorporare, incorporat-, "to form into a body"] Contributed by Lunatron
Vivincorporator - A practitioner of vivincorporation. Contributed by Lunatron
Vivinfusion - The act of sparking a drone. Acceptable if the drone is given enough AI to be intelligent as well, not acceptable if the drone remains mindless. Contributed by Wayward
Wing - The specific group seekers and other fliers belong to. Modifiers can be added to it, such as bomber and attack, to specify what exactly the group does. Different authors have used this term to apply to different numbers of Seekers or Trines. The Webmaid has seen it used to describe three trines or five. Contributed by Evil Killer Poptarts and Wayward.
Winger - Slang term among flying Transformers for a wingman. Contributed by Scopeshot.
Xenolytic nanites - Along with electro-sanitizers (canon), components of the self-repair system. See also synaptogenics, cyberneticides, topoisotronics and replicatives. Contributed by Kidu.
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