non-returnn.adj.
/ˌnɒnrᵻˈtəːn/, U.S. /ˌnɑnrəˈtərn/, /ˌnɑnriˈtərn/ A. n.
Failure or refusal to return; the condition of not being returned.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > absence > [noun] > failure to return or be returned
non-return1547
1547 Act 1 Edw. VI c. 10 §5 For everye suche faulte of non Retourne, everie suche Sherife..shall..forfaite Five Powndes.
1812 Examiner 7 Sept. 570/1 He is entitled to one moiety in case of a non-return of any taxable article.
1845 E. Bulwer-Lytton Night & Morning v. xiv The alarm of Sarah at her non-return.
1898 Westm. Gaz. 19 Mar. 2/4 The borrowing of your cherished books and their non-return.
1930 Times Educ. Suppl. 18 Oct. 429/4 Fined only for the non-return of vacation books.
1997 Jrnl. Palestine Stud. 27 87 This [despair] gave my return—and his non-return—an element of Greek tragedy.
B. adj. (attributive).
Of a valve or other device: permitting flow or movement in one direction only.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > control(s) > [adjective] > provided with a valve > relating to type of valve
shut-off1869
non-return1883
pop-off1902
poppet-valved1912
1883 A. E. Seaton Man. Marine Engin. xvi. 301 The Kingston valve..acts as a non-return valve in case of the spindle breaking, and can then always be worked by simply forcing it outwards.
1906 Motor Boat 12 July 18 Carburetted air drawn in through a non-return valve.
1946 V. N. Wood Metall. Materials ii. 76 When the tups pass one another after breaking the test piece, a non-return pawl mechanism prevents them from swinging backwards.
1992 Do it Yourself July 36 Most modern household appliances, such as washing machines.., are already fitted with non-return devices.
2000 G. F. Douglas-Sherwood Gloss. Lighthouse Service Terminol. (Assoc. Lighthouse Keepers) Foot valve, a non-return valve fitted to the end of a suction pipe.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1547