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

Singular:

nonce

Plural:

nonces

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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