English
for the nonce
For the nonce comes from Middle English for þe nones.
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500for þe nones
- Englishearliest quotation 1857for the nonce
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500for þe nones
- Englishearliest quotation 1857for the nonce
Earliest quotation: 1857, Anthony Trollope: “'Idiot!' exclaimed the doctor, who for the nonce was…”
The story
From Middle English for þe nones, for þe nanes, a rebracketing of earlier for þen ānes (literally “for the once”).
Every English word from Middle English for þe nones
Today it means
prep_phrase For the time being, for now, with the expectation that the situation may change.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle English for þe nones / for the nonce