novum

noun3

1. •
   A new feature, a novelty.

   • we find among the cultured devotees a tendency to idealize a foreign civilisation — a novum in Chinese history. — 1959
2. •
   An innovation which is fictional, but, following the logic of cognitive estrangement (characteristic of science fiction), is afforded plausibility by the assumption that the fictional setting is scientifically consistent.
3. •
   (no longer used) A game of dice, properly called novem quinque, the two principal throws being nine and five.

   • Abate throw at novum, and the whole world again Cannot pick out five such, take each one in his vein. — 1595