wʌns adv., conj., & n. --adv. 1 on
one occasion or
for one
time only (did
not once
say please;
have read it once). 2 at
some point or
period in
the past (could once
play chess). 3
ever or at
all (if
you once
forget it). 4 multiplied by one; by one
degree. --conj. as
soon as (once
they have
gone we can relax). --n. one time or occasion (just the once). øall at once 1
without warning; suddenly. 2 all
together. at once 1
immediately. 2 simultaneously. for once on
this (or that) occasion, even if at no
other. once
again (or more)
another time. once
and for all (or once for all) (done) in a
final or
conclusive manner,
esp. so as to
end hesitation or
uncertainty. once (or
every once) in a
while from time to time; occasionally. once or
twice a
few times. once-over colloq. a
rapid preliminary inspection or
piece of
work. once
upon a time at some
vague time in the past. [ME anes, ones, genit. of ONE]
