Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

John-a-Nokes

noun
Save Word
variants: or John-a-Noakes \ ˌjänəˈnōks \

Definition of John-a-Nokes

archaic
: a party to legal proceedings whose true name is unknown as willing to plead for John-a-Nokes as for the first noble of the land— Sir Walter Scott — compare john-a-stiles

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for John-a-Nokes

alteration of earlier John at Noke, from the name John + at Noke, probably from Middle English atten ok at the oak tree

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about John-a-Nokes

Statistics for John-a-Nokes

Cite this Entry

“John-a-Nokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/John-a-Nokes. Accessed 29 May. 2020.

Comments on John-a-Nokes

What made you want to look up John-a-Nokes? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

assail

Listen to the pronunciation of assail

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

May 2020 Words of the Day Quiz

  • a blooming wisteria tree
  • Which is a synonym of exiguous?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games