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~Etymology.~
“_For the_ NONCE.”
The original of _nonce_, an old word used by George Peel, is uncertain:
it signifies purpose, intent, design.
I saw a wolf
Nursing two whelps; I saw her little ones
In wanton dalliance the teat to crave,
While she her neck wreath’d from them _for the_ NONCE.
_Spenser._
They used at first to fume the fish in a house built _for the_ NONCE.
_Carew._
When in your motion you are hot.
And that he calls for drink, I’ll have prepared him
A chalice _for the_ NONCE.
Such a light and metall’d dance;
Saw you never;
And they lead men _for the_ NONCE,
That turn round like grindle stones.
_Ben Jonson._
A voider _for the_ NONCE,
I wrong the devil should I pick their bones.
_Cleaveland._
Coming ten times _for the_ NONCE,
I never yet could see it flow but once.
_Cotton._
These authorities, adduced by Dr. Johnson, Mr. Archdeacon Nares
conceives to have sufficiently explained the meaning of the word, which,
though obsolete, is still “provincially current.” He adds, that it is
sometimes written _nones_, and exemplifies the remark by these
quotations:--
The mask of Monkes, devised for the _nones_.
_Mirror for Magistrates._
And cunningly contrived them for the _nones_
In likely rings of excellent device.
_Drayton._
We also find “for the _nones_” in Chaucer.
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