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 landSir 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

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Dictionary Entries Near 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 25 Apr. 2024.

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