Definition of NONCE

nonce

Meanings

Plural: nonces

Noun

  • the present occasion
    • "for the nonce"
  • The one or single occasion; the present reason or purpose (now only in for the nonce).
  • A nonce word.
  • A value constructed so as to be unique to a particular message in a stream, in order to prevent replay attacks.
  • A sex offender, especially one who is guilty of sexual offences against children.
  • A pedophile.
  • A police informer, one who betrays a criminal enterprise
  • A stupid or worthless person.

Adj

  • One-off; produced or created for a single occasion or use. Denoting something occurring once.

Origin / Etymology

Inherited from Middle English nonse, nones, a rebracketing of Middle English to þen anes, for þen anes (to/for the once (i.e., the one occasion or instance)), from the dative singular neuter of þe. The cryptography sense is commonly said to be a contraction of number used once, although this is probably incorrect.

Synonyms

snitch, time being

Scrabble Score: 7

nonce is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
nonce is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
nonce is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 10

nonce is a valid Words With Friends word