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

When a mining node wants to create a block, it would take all the data in the block, plus a special number called a nonce, and run it through the hashing algorithm.

From The Verge • Sep. 9, 2021

A regular nonce, aye: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Conservative Party dominated the U.K.’s general election Thursday, winning a firm majority in Parliament despite—or perhaps, because of—the Brexit chaos.

From Slate • Dec. 13, 2019

Wherever Weinstein ends up, I picture the place as a sort of alt-justice simulator, which lovingly recreates the atmosphere of the classic nonce wing, right down to the Michelin-starred salad bar and fluffy bathrobes.

From The Guardian • Oct. 12, 2017

A lapse into depression, for the nonce, was averted.

From Salon • Jun. 30, 2010

So let’s just fast-forward to the nonce and be done with it.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone

Related Words

• now
• today