john-a-nokes noun orjohn-a-noakes\ˌjänəˈnōks\ Usage: usually capitalized J&N Etymology: alteration of earlier John at Noke, from the name John + at Noke, probably from Middle English atten ok at the oak tree archaic: a party to legal proceedings whose true name is unknown < as willing to plead for John-a-Nokes as for the first noble of the land — Sir Walter Scott > — compare john-a-stiles