Main Entry: ¹once

Pronunciation: \ˈwən(t)s\

Function: adverb

Etymology: Middle English ones, from genitive of on one

Date: 12th century

1 : one time and no more <rode a horse only once>
2 : at any one time : under any circumstances : ever <didn't once thank me>
3 : at some indefinite time in the past : formerly <was once a booming mining town>
4 : by one degree of relationship <first cousin once removed>

— once and for all 1 : with finality : definitively
2 : for the last time

— once in a while : now and then