noun / adjective
nonce
NAHNS/nˈɑns/
Created for one occasion or purpose.
The nonce arrangement transforms the dining table for a single birthday celebration.
Etymology
Middle English naness arose from an expression meaning 'for the once.' Its focus on a single occasion survives in 'for the nonce,' referring to the present occasion or a particular purpose.
In context
I fear bloodshed if you enter.” “Nay, father, I pray you to stay here for the nonce,” said Nigel. “And you, Mary, do you bide with the good priest, for we know not what may be within.”
More examples
- Reusing a nonce can weaken the security of an encrypted message.
- The poem includes a nonce word invented for its final rhyme.
- The program stores recently used nonces to reject duplicate requests.
Forms
nonce · nonces
Similar words
- single-use
- Emphasizes use exactly once rather than creation for one occasion.
- one-off
- Describes something made or done once, without planned repetition.