Kilotavun

Kilotavun is not an established unit in real-world science or engineering. The term appears in fictional, speculative, or world-building contexts where authors invent units to express very large scales of energy, information, or computational work. Because there is no universally accepted definition, the meaning of kilotavun varies from source to source.

Etymology and status: The name combines the SI prefix kilo- with a fictional root tavun. The origin and intended sense of tavun differ among writers, and there is no consensus or formal standard associated with the term. As a result, kilotavun functions mainly as a narrative or thought-experiment device rather than a recognized measurement.

Common usages: In some works, kilotavun is described as a unit of energy—analogous to large-scale energy requirements for planetary or interstellar technologies. In others, it is used as a measure of information processing or computational work, sometimes linked to the energy cost of data storage, transmission, or calculation. Because definitions are writer-specific, kilotavun can be positioned anywhere on a scale from energy to information to hybrid concepts.

Notation and conversion: There is no canonical conversion to joules, bits, or other real units. Any conversion or equivalence should be taken from the specific text or community defining it. In formal science and engineering, kilotavun has no official status and is not part of the SI system.

See also: non-SI units, fictional measurement systems, world-building terminology.