hapax legomenon

[ hap-aks li-gom-uh-non, hey-paks ]

noun

, plural hap·ax le·go·me·na [hap, -aks li-, gom, -, uh, -n, uh, hey, -paks].

1. a word or phrase that appears only once in a manuscript, document, or particular area of literature.

hapax legomenon

/ ˈhæpæks ləˈɡɒmɪˌnɒn /

noun

1. See nonce word
   another term for nonce word

Word History and Origins

Origin of hapax legomenon¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; from Greek hápax “once, one time” + legómenon “(being) said,” neuter singular present passive participle of légein “to say”

Word History and Origins

Origin of hapax legomenon¹

Greek: thing said only once

Example Sentences

It is the commonest word in the lexicon, yet it always reads as a hapax legomenon.

From Project Gutenberg