GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   Nonce , 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 ðam, 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.
   
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   And that he calls for drink, I 'll have prepared him
   A chalice for the nonce.
   Shak.
   
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   Nonce word, “a word apparently employed only for the nonce”.
   Murray (New English Dict.).
   
   1913 Webster