oncer

English

Etymology

From once.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈwʌnsə/

Noun

oncer (plural oncers)

1. (informal, historical) A one-pound note.
   • 1993, Will Self, My Idea of Fun:

     On whatever point Jane’s eyes rested, through whichever line her gaze ran, she saw cheques being signed, credit-card counterfoils being scrawled across, standing orders being arranged, and cash – wholesome dosh, ponies, monkies, oncers, coins of the realm – flowing around like mercury, like some element.

2. (poetic) A person who does something once.
   • 1944, W. H. Auden, The Sea and the Mirror: A Commentary on Shakespeare's The Tempest, Part 1. Prospero to Ariel:

     Could he but once see Nature as / In truth she is for ever, / What oncer would not fall in love?

Anagrams

• crone
• recon