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once definition

once (wuns)

adverb

  1. one time; one time only to eat once a day
  2. at any time; at all; ever she'll succeed if once given a chance
  3. at some time in the past; formerly a once famous man
  4. by one degree or grade a cousin once removed

Etymology: ME ones, gen. of on, one

conjunction

as soon as; if ever; whenever once he has made his point, he will be quiet

adjective

former; quondam

noun

one time go this once
once Idioms

all at once

  1. all at the same time
  2. suddenly

at once

  1. immediately
  2. at the same time

for once

for at least one time

once and again

occasionally

once (and) for all

finally; decisively; conclusively

once in a while

now and then; occasionally

once or twice

not often; a few times

once upon a time

in the past, esp. a long time ago

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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