one-off

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Occurring once, independent of any pattern; one-time.
  2. Special; remarkable; rare; unusual.
noun
  1. Something that is done, created, etc. only once, and often quickly, simply, or improvisationally.
  2. Something unique and remarkable.

Pronunciation

en-us-one-off.ogg En-au-one-off.ogg

Word forms

one-off more one-off most one-off one-offs

Etymology

From one + off. Probably from foundry work, for which making reusable molds is expensive and expediency makes the rule for molds not to be used only once. A term long used by artists who are printmakers and sculptors to indicate a unique print or casting. If using traditional edition numbering, a one-off would be a "1/1", which is said, "one of one" meaning the first print in an edition of one.

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