From: Hal Fulton <hal9000@...>
Date: 2006-08-11T11:20:42+09:00
Subject: Re: nonce

Trans wrote:
> Hal Fulton wrote:
> 
>>Trans wrote:
>>
>>>An occassion need not be limited to an instantaneous moment. Could I
>>>not say, "I have occassion for an Eigenclass"? It also has other
>>>connotations, such as "need".
>>>
>>>I don't think any word is ever going to be perfect, precisely becuase
>>>there is no precise word for it. We have to define one. And the problem
>>>with "singleton" is that it's already taken.
>>
>>I've never perceived a problem there. "Singleton" is used in different
>>circumstances, as is "nonce." Much of meaning depends on context.
>>
>>But "nonce" does carry a strong connotation of "one-time usage."
> 
> 
> Honestly. Have you ever even used the work _nonce_ in your entire life?

I have used it many times over the last twenty years, mostly in
the phrase "for the nonce."


Hal