John-a-Nokes

noun

variants or John-a-Noakes

ˌjänəˈnōks

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

Word History

Etymology

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

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Rhymes for John-a-Nokes

• artichokes
• blokes
• chokes
• cloaks
• coax
• cokes
• folks
• hoax
• jokes
• oaks
• pokes
• smokes