Meanings
nomic1
- datednot comparableCustomary; ordinary; applied to the usual spelling of a language, in distinction from strictly phonetic methods.
The first and most obvious objection brought against the use of a phonetic notation in teaching a foreign language is the danger of confusion between the phonetic and the nomic spelling of the language.
1899, Henry Sweet, The Practical Study of Languages - not comparablehuman sciencesRelating to a law.
Nomic2
- A game, intended to model certain aspects of legal systems, in which players take turns by modifying the game's rules.
The game Nomic also has rules that change over time. But these games still have rules for how they're played...
2004, Andrew S. Glassner, Interactive Storytelling2 more examples
This is not to say that nuanced, intermediate levels may not arise in Nomic through game custom and tacit understandings.
1982, Douglas Hofstadter, Scientific AmericanNomic, a "game of self-amendment," is most fundamentally characterized by its rule 213, 213. If the rules are changed so that further play is impossible, or if the legality of a move cannot be determined with finality, or if by the Judge's best reasoning, not overruled, a move appears equally legal and illegal, then the first player unable to complete a turn is the winner.
2005, Yusuf Pisan, The Second Australasian Conference on Interactive Entertainment
Origin
nomic · adjective
- Ancient Greekνομικός“relating to laws”
- Englishnomic
From Ancient Greek νομικός (nomikós, “relating to laws”), from νόμος (nómos, “law, custom”).
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Cite this entry
nomic. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nomic
“nomic.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nomic. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “nomic,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nomic.
Source: nomic on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.