hapax legomenon
[hap-aks li-gom-uh-non, hey-paks]
- a word or phrase that appears only once in a manuscript, document, or particular area of literature.
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Origin of hapax legomenon
First recorded in 1880–85, hapax legomenon is from the Greek word hápax legómenon (thing) once said
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
hapax legomenon
- another term for nonce word
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Word Origin
Greek: thing said only once
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for hapax legomenon
n.
(plural legomena), "word occurring only once," Greek, literally "once said," from hapax "once" + legomenon, neuter passive present participle of legein "to say."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper