one-off

Meanings

Adjective

• Occurring once, independent of any pattern; one-time.
• Singular; unique; special; remarkable.

Noun

• Something that is done, created, etc. only once, and often quickly, simply, or improvisationally.
• Something unique and remarkable.

Related

Similar words

• nonce
• one-shot

Origin

• From one + off. Probably from foundry work, for which making reusable molds is expensive and expediency 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.