E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Nonce.
For the nonce. A corruption of for then anes (for then once), meaning for this once. “An apron” for a naperon is an example of n transferred the other way. We have some halfdozen similar examples in the language, as “tother day”—i.e. the other or thæt other = the other. Nuncle used in King Lear, which was originally mine-uncle. An arrant knave is a narrant knave. (See NAG.)
