'Nonce word' definitions:
Definition of 'nonce word'
From: WordNet
noun
A word with a special meaning used for a special occasion [syn: nonce word, hapax legomenon]
Definition of 'Nonce word'
From: GCIDE
- Nonce \Nonce\ (n[o^]ns), n. [For the nonce, OE. for the nones, a corruption of for then ones, where n. in then is a relic of AS. m in [eth]am, dat. of the article and demonstrative pronoun, E. the. See For, Once, and The.] The one or single occasion; the present call or purpose; -- chiefly used in the phrase
- for the nonce, i. e. for the present time. [1913 Webster]
- The miller was a stout carl for the nones. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
- And that he calls for drink, I 'll have prepared him A chalice for the nonce. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- Nonce word, "a word apparently employed only for the nonce". --Murray (New English Dict.). [1913 Webster]