once

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   One single time.

   I have only eaten pizza once.

2. 2
   conj

   As soon as; after.

   Once we are home, we can rest.

3. 3
   adv

   At some time in the past; formerly.

   He was once the most handsome man around.

From Middle English ones, from Old English ānes, a remodelling (after ān (“one”)) of ǣnes, itself an extension of ǣne (“once”) with the genitive suffix -es. Equivalent to one + -s. Cognate with Saterland Frisian enst, insen (“once”), West Frisian iens (“once”), Dutch eens (“once”), German Low German eens, ins (“once”), German einst (“once”). More at one (including regarding the development of the pronunciation) and -s.

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