[one] adj [ME on, an, fr. OE an; akin to OHG ein one, L unus (OL oinos), Skt eka] (bef. 12c) 1: being a single unit or thing "~ day at a time"
2. a: being one in particular "early ~ morning" b: being preeminently what is indicated "~ fine person" 3 a: being the same in kind or quality "both of ~ species" b (1): constituting a unified entity of two or more components "the combined elements form ~ substance" (2): being in agreement or union "am ~ with you on this"
4. a: some 1 "will see you again ~ day" b: being a certain individual specified by name "~ John Doe made a speech"
5: only
2. "the ~ person she wanted to marry"
[2]one n (bef. 12c) 1: the first whole number above zero
2: the number denoting unity 3 a: the first in a set or series--often used with an attributive noun "day ~" b: an article of clothing of a size designated one "wears a ~"
4: a single person or thing "has the ~ but needs the other"
5: a one-dollar bill -- at one : at harmony: in a state of agreement -- for one : as one example "I for one disagree" [3]one pron (13c) 1: a certain indefinitely indicated person or thing "saw ~ of his friends"
2. a: an individual of a vaguely indicated group: anyone at all "~ never knows" b--used as a third person substitute for a first person pronoun "I'd like to read more but ~ doesn't have the time"
3: a single instance of a specified action "felt like belting him ~ --John Casey" usage Sense 2a is usu. a sign of a formal style. A formal style excludes the participation of the reader or hearer; thus one is used where a less formal style might address the reader directly "for the consequences of such choices, one has only oneself to thank --Walker Gibson". This generic one has never been common in informal use in either British or American English, and people who start sentences with one often shift to another pronoun more natural to casual discourse "when one is learning the river, he is not allowed to do or think about anything else --Mark Twain". Use of one to replace a first-person pronoun--sense 2b--has occas. been criticized. It is more common in British English than in American "I'm watching this pretty carefully and I hope that the issue will come up in the Lords and one may be able to speak about it --Donald Coggan, Archbishop of Canterbury".