Star Wars

a U.S. weapons research program begun in 1984 to explore technologies, including ground- and space-based lasers, for destroying attacking missiles and warheads. Also called Strategic Defense Initiative.

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Star Wars singular noun

(also without caps) an informal term for the Strategic Defence Initiative (qv under ↑strategy)

adjective

Denoting the technology proposed for this initiative

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Main Entry: ↑star

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Star Wars,

1. of or having to do with a plan for deploying strategic ballistic missiles in space to intercept and destroy enemy missiles before they reach earth; SDI.

2. Also, star wars. warfare in space: »

preparations for “star wars,” on the development of different ways of destroying missiles, including laser weapons and ray-guns (Georiy Zubkov).

╂[< title of science-fiction motion picture Star Wars]

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Star Wars [Star Wars]

a very successful US film (1977), directed by George Lucas, about a war in space. The story is about Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, who fight the evil ↑Darth Vader to rescue Princess Leia. The same characters appeared in several further films, including The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983), and Episode 1 (1999). The term ‘Star Wars’ was used by President Ronald Reagan for his ↑Strategic Defense Initiative, and he also called the USSR ‘the evil empire’, a phrase taken from the film.