Category:While

While, n. Etym: [as. hwil; akin to os. hwil, hwila, ofries. hwile, d. Wigl, g. weile, ohg. wila, hwila, hwil, icel. hvila a bed, hvild Rest, sw. hvila, dan. hvile, goth. hweila a time, and probably to l. Quietus quiet, and perhaps to gr. Quiet, whilom.]

1. Space of time, or continued duration, esp. when short; a time; as, One while we thought him innocent. "all this while." Shak. This mighty queen may no while endure. Chaucer. [some guest that] hath outside his welcome while, and tells the jest Without the smile. Coleridge. I will go forth and breathe the air a while. Longfellow.

2. That which requires time; labor; pains. [obs.] Satan. . . cast him how he might quite her while. Chaucer. At whiles, at times; at intervals. And so on us at whiles it falls, to claim powers that we dread. J. H. Newman. -- the while, the whiles, in or during the time that; meantime; While. Tennyson. -- within a while, in a short time; soon. -- worth while, worth the time which it requires; worth the time and Pains; hence, worth the expense; as, it is not always worth while for A man to prosecute for small debts.

While While, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whiled; p. pr. & vb. n. Whiling.]

Defn: to cause to pass away pleasantly or without irksomeness or Disgust; to spend or pass; -- usually followed by away. The lovely lady whiled the hours away. Longfellow.

While While, v. i.

Defn: to loiter. [r.] Spectator.

While While, conj.

1. During the time that; as long as; whilst; at the same time that; As, while i write, you sleep. "while i have time and space." Chaucer. Use your memory; you will sensibly experience a gradual improvement, While you take care not to overload it. I. Watts.

2. Hence, under which circumstances; in which case; though; whereas. While as, while that, during or at the time that. [obs.]

While While, prep.

Defn: until; till. [obs. or prov. Eng. & scot.] I may be conveyed into your chamber; i'll lie under your bed while Midnight. Beau. & fl.