nonce
/nɔns/
Definition
- Noun:
- The present occasion or particular purpose: "Nonce" refers to a specific, single occasion or immediate purpose. It is almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase "for the nonce," meaning "for the present time" or "for now."
Usage
- The word "nonce" is an archaism and is never used alone in modern English. Its sole contemporary function is within the idiom "for the nonce."
- This idiom is formal and somewhat literary. It indicates that something is happening or is valid temporarily, for the current situation only.
Examples
- Noun (in the idiom "for the nonce"):
- We'll use this old table for the nonce until the new one arrives.
- The rule is suspended for the nonce, but it will be reinstated next month.
- He was appointed chairman for the nonce.
Advanced Usage
- In linguistics and computing: In specialized fields, "nonce" has a distinct, separate meaning. It refers to a word, phrase, or number created for a single, specific occasion or use. This is not related to the idiom "for the nonce."
- The poet coined a nonce word to fit the rhyme scheme.
- The security system generates a cryptographic nonce for each transaction.
Variants and Related Words
- Nonce word (n): A word invented and used only for a particular occasion.
- "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" is a famous nonce word from a film.
Synonyms
- For now: For the present time.
- For the time being: For the present period.
- Temporarily: For a limited time.
- Pro tem (abbreviation of ): For the time being (formal).
Notes on Different Meanings
- The primary definition for general English is the one related to the idiom "for the nonce" (meaning "for now").
- The specialized definition in linguistics/computing (a unique item for one-time use) is a separate, technical meaning. These two meanings are homographs (same spelling, different origin and use).
Noun
-
the present occasion
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for the nonce
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