Nonce Definition

nŏns
noun
The present use, occasion, or time; time being.
Webster's New World
(lexicography) A nonce word.
I had thought that the term was a nonce, but it seems as if it's been picked up by other authors.
Wiktionary

(computing) A number, usually generated randomly or from the time, used once in a cryptographic protocol, to prevent replay attacks.

Wiktionary

(UK, slang, pejorative) A sex offender, especially of children; a paedophile.

That bloke who lives at number 53 is a nonce!
Wiktionary

(UK, slang) A stupid or worthless person.

Wiktionary
Synonyms:
adjective
Denoting something occurring once.
Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Nonce

Noun

Singular:
nonce
Plural:
nonces

Origin of Nonce

  • From Middle English for the nones for the occasion alteration of for then anes for for for then neuter dative sing. of the the1 ones, anes once once

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Unknown - UK criminal slang. Possibly originally from dialectical nonce, nonse (“stupid, worthless individual"), or Nance, nance (“effeminate man"), from Nancy boy.

    From Wiktionary

  • From a misdivision in Middle English of þan anes (“the one (occasion, instance)").

    From Wiktionary

  • See Wikipedia article for further discussion.

    From Wiktionary

  • Contraction of number used once

    From Wiktionary

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