Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Without reaction: said of certain alternating-current machines which are so designed that the armature currents neither strengthen nor weaken the magnetic circuit.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Devoid of reactions; not reacting.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

reaction +‎ -less

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Examples

  • While you're dropping into ANU, find out if anyone is working on a "reactionless" electro-magnetic drive based on momentum stored in static crossed EM fields.

    Space : The Long Haul Zoe Brain 2006

  • This probably explains their more nonsensical statements about Tea Parties: the idea of a legitimate populist, grassroots-driven movement is as alien to them as a reactionless drive would be to a modern physicist.

    DNC *still* advertising for astroturfers. | RedState 2010

  • Somewhere in the cylindrical metal pod near her center of mass, perhaps occupying it completely, was the reactionless drive.

    Crashlander Niven, Larry 1994

  • Its drive must be either a reactionless drive, like his own, or a kzin-style induced-gravity drive.

    A Hole In Space Niven, Larry, 1938- 1992

  • Hot Needle of Inquiry must be moving on reactionless thrusters alone.

    The Ringworld Engineers Niven, Larry 1980

  • * Hot Needle of Inquiry* must be moving on reactionless thrusters alone.

    The Ringworld Engineers Niven, Larry 1980

  • Most ships used a reactionless drive, the "thruster."

    Tales of Known Space Niven, Larry 1975

  • Its drive must be either a reactionless drive, like his own, or a kzin-style induced-gravity drive.

    Tales of Known Space Niven, Larry 1975

  • The engines must be reactionless: thrusters of the human type, or something more advanced.

    Ringworld Niven, Larry, 1938- 1970

  • You will find that the ship behaves very like a ship driven by reactionless thrusters, except that there is no internal gravity.

    Ringworld Niven, Larry, 1938- 1970

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