The word "nonce" has several meanings depending on the context:
- In linguistics, a "nonce word" is a word created for a single occasion or utterance and is not a recognized word in the language. It is often used for humor, poetry, experiments, or to test language abilities. Sometimes it can be a nonsense word made for a specific use.
- The phrase "for the nonce" means "for now" or "for the moment," referring to the present or immediate occasion.
- In British slang, "nonce" is a derogatory term meaning a person who commits sexual offenses, especially pedophiles or child molesters. This is a very serious and negative usage.
So "nonce" can mean a temporary or single-use thing, or it can be a slang term with an offensive meaning related to sex crimes in the UK. The context where the word is used determines which meaning applies.
