nonce word
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Nonce word — 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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
nonce-word — (n.) word coined for a special occasion, 1922, from NONCE (Cf. nonce) + WORD (Cf. word) (n.) … Etymology dictionary
nonce word — nonce ,word noun count a word that someone invents for a particular purpose or occasion … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
nonce word — nonce′ word n. ling. a word coined and used only for a particular occasion • Etymology: 1880–85 … From formal English to slang
nonce word — n. a word coined and used for a single or particular occasion, or time being … English World dictionary
Nonce word — For other uses of the word, see Nonce. A nonce word is a word used only for the nonce to meet a need that is not expected to recur. Quark, for example, was formerly a nonce word in English, appearing only in James Joyce s Finnegans Wake. Murray… … Wikipedia
nonce word — noun a word with a special meaning used for a special occasion • Syn: ↑hapax legomenon • Hypernyms: ↑word * * * noun : a word (as ringday in “four girls I know have become engaged today: this must be ringday”) coined and used apparently to suit… … Useful english dictionary
nonce word — UK [ˈnɒns ˌwɜː(r)d] / US [ˈnɑns ˌwɜrd] noun [countable] Word forms nonce word : singular nonce word plural nonce words a word that someone invents for a particular purpose or occasion … English dictionary
nonce word — word invented and used only for one specific occasion … English contemporary dictionary
nonce word — a word coined and used only for a particular occasion. Cf. neologism (def. 1). [1880 85] * * * ▪ literature a word coined and used apparently to suit one particular occasion. Nonce words are sometimes used independently by different writers … Universalium