Once \Once\, adv. [OE. ones, anes, an adverbial form fr. one,
on, an, one. See One-, -Wards.]
1. By limitation to the number one; for one time; not twice
nor any number of times more than one.
Ye shall . . . go round about the city once. --Josh.
vi. 3.
Trees that bear mast are fruitful but once in two
years. --Bacon.
2. At some one period of time; -- used indefinitely.
My soul had once some foolish fondness for thee.
--Addison.
That court which we shall once govern. --Bp. Hall.
3. At any one time; -- often nearly equivalent to ever, if
ever, or whenever; as, once kindled, it may not be
quenched.
Wilt thou not be made clean? When shall it once be?
--Jer. xiii.
27.
To be once in doubt Is once to be resolved. --Shak.
Note: Once is used as a noun when preceded by this or that;
as, this once, that once. It is also sometimes used
elliptically, like an adjective, for once-existing.
``The once province of Britain.'' --J. N. Pomeroy.
At once.
(a) At the same point of time; immediately; without delay.
``Stand not upon the order of your going, but go at
once.'' --Shak. ``I . . . withdrew at once and
altogether.'' --Jeffrey.
(b) At one and the same time; simultaneously; in one body;
as, they all moved at once.
Once and again, once and once more; repeatedly. ``A dove
sent forth once and again, to spy.'' --Milton.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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