View synonyms for nonce

nonce

[ nons ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the present, or immediate, occasion or purpose (usually used in the phrase for the nonce ).

adjective

(of a word or phrase) coined and used only for a particular occasion:
nonce forms such as “paintrix,” meaning “a female painter.”

nonce

/ nɒns /

noun

slang:prison.
a rapist or child molester; a sexual offender

nonce

/ nɒns /

noun

the present time or occasion (now only in the phrase for the nonce )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of nonce¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English nones, in the phrase for the nones, by faulty division of for then ones “for the once” ( Middle English then, dative singular of the ¹none; ones once none )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of nonce¹

C20: of unknown origin

Origin of nonce²

C12: from the phrase for the nonce, a mistaken division of for then anes, literally: for the once, from then dative singular of the + anes once

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Example Sentences

The "Nonce" said that you caught him up in a line he had misquoted.'

From Project Gutenberg

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non causa pro causa noncellular

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