nonce

American  

[nons] / nɒns /

noun

1. the present, or immediate, occasion or purpose (usually used in the phrasefor the nonce ).

2. Computers. a randomly or automatically generated and often timestamped number intended for a single use in a communication: used especially in authentication and security protocols.

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adjective

1. (of a word or phrase) coined and used only for a particular occasion.

   nonce forms such as “paintrix,” meaning “a female painter.”

nonce ¹ British  

/ nɒns /

noun

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

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nonce ² British  

/ nɒns /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of nonce

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 ¹ ; ones once )

Example Sentences

But Peggy Nonce comes blowing back from her hasty errand, and says the doctor is down to Mr. Moses Simcoe's.

From Eventide A Series of Tales and Poems by Afton, Effie

Susey sprang back with a frightened aspect at the mischief she had done, and Peggy Nonce, dropping her rolling-pin, rushed out of the pantry and beheld the fragments of broken china scattered over the floor.

From Eventide A Series of Tales and Poems by Afton, Effie

Nonce occurs properly only in the phrase for the nonce, which is for earlier for then ones, where then is the dative of the definite article.

From The Romance of Words (4th ed.) by Weekley, Ernest

A voider for the Nonce; I wrong the Devil should I pick the Bones.

From Quaint Gleanings from Ancient Poetry by Goldsmid, Edmund

"My mother has heard of such a thing; and she knows more than fifteen women like you, old aunt Peggy Nonce," returned Miss Susey, with the air of a tragedy queen.

From Eventide A Series of Tales and Poems by Afton, Effie

Related Words

• now
• today