[Invented by Lytton.] A mysterious force imagined as having been discovered by the people described in one of Lytton’s novels.
1871. Lytton, Coming Race, vii. 47. These people consider that in vril they have arrived at the unity in natural energic agencies, which has been conjectured by many philosophers.
1884. Harper’s Mag., Dec., 154/2. Just as … Tish saw the Ana voyaging in their vril-cars over the mountains and the valleys.
1898. Pall Mall G., 27 Dec., 4/1. If so,… we are within hailing distance of the discovery of vril.
