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.

The miller was a stout carl for the nones. --Chaucer.

And that he calls for drink, I 'll have prepared him A chalice for the nonce. --Shak.

Nonce word, ``a word apparently employed only for the nonce''. --Murray (New English Dict.).

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)