Noun
expanded universe (plural expanded universes)
In fiction, the extension of a media franchise (i.e. a television show, series of feature films, etc.) with other media (generally comics and original novels), often with the result being that the stories described in the other media are not considered canon in the original.
According to the official Star Wars Expanded Universe, the Jedi came into existence shortly after the Ashla Knights, the precursor-race to the Jedi Order, and the Galactic Republic were created circa 25,783 BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin ). Source: Internet
But 1991 is generally seen as the beginning of the true Expanded Universe when Timothy Zahn's best-selling Thrawn Trilogy hit the book-shelves. Source: Internet
Because the term Sith was never spoken in the original trilogy, early Expanded Universe products usually considered the "evil Jedi," those who joined the dark side of the Force, as "Dark Jedi." Source: Internet
A scaled-down version of the Eclipse, the Sovereign class, is featured in Expanded Universe material from the same time period. Source: Internet
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed series was once regarded as canon, but since Disney abandoned all 'Expanded Universe' content the game's storyline now falls under the 'Star Wars: Legends' banner. Source: Internet
Widely regarded as the best writing in the Star Wars Expanded Universe (now Star Wars Legends), Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy is a must-read for any Star Wars fan looking to delve into the connected novels. Source: Internet