once Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adverb on one occasion
    one time; in one case.
    • once I ran into her
  2. adverb as soon as
    • once we are home, we can rest
  3. adverb at a previous time;
    erstwhile; erst; at one time; formerly.
    • at one time he loved her
    • her erstwhile writing
    • she was a dancer once

WordNet

Once adverb
Etymology
OE. ones, anes, an adverbial form fr. one, on, an, one. See One-, -Wards.
Definitions
  1. By limitation to the number one; for one time; not twice nor any number of times more than one.
    Ye shall . . . go round about the city once. Josh. vi. 3.
    Trees that bear mast are fruitful but once in two years. Bacon.
  2. At some one period of time; -- used indefinitely.
    My soul had once some foolish fondness for thee. Addison.
    That court which we shall once govern. Bp. Hall.
  3. At any one time; -- often nearly equivalent to ever, if ever, or whenever; as, once kindled, it may not be quenched.
    Wilt thou not be made clean? When shall it once be? Jer. xiii. 27.
    To be once in doubt Is once to be resolved. Shak.
    ✍ Once is used as a noun when preceded by this or that; as, this once, that once. It is also sometimes used elliptically, like an adjective, for once-existing. "The once province of Britain." J. N. Pomeroy..

Webster 1913