while

while
while [hwīl, wīl]
n.
[ME < OE hwil, akin to Ger weile < IE base * kweye-, to rest > L quies, quiet]
a period or space of time [a short while]
conj.
1. during or throughout the time that [we waited while she dined]
2. at the same time that [while you're up, close the door]
3.
a) although on the one hand [while he was not poor, he had no ready cash]
b) whereas; and on the other hand [the walls are green, while the ceiling is white]
4. [Archaic or North Eng.] until
prep.
[Archaic or North Eng.] until
vt.
whiled, whiling [< WHILE the n., but meaning prob. infl. by wile]
to spend (time) in a pleasant way; cause to pass idly: often with away [to while away the afternoon]
——————
between whiles
now and then; at intervals
——————
the while
at the same time; during this very time
——————
worth someone's while
worth someone's time, consideration, etc.; profitable in some way

English World dictionary. . 2014.

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  • While — While, n. [AS. hw[=i]l; akin to OS. hw[=i]l, hw[=i]la, OFries. hw[=i]le, D. wigl, G. weile, OHG. w[=i]la, hw[=i]la, hw[=i]l, Icel. hv[=i]la a bed, hv[=i]ld rest, Sw. hvila, Dan. hvile, Goth. hweila a time, and probably to L. quietus quiet, and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • While — and whilst are conjunctions whose primary meaning is during the time that . An example is::The days were hot while we were on vacation.:I read a magazine whilst I was waiting. While and whilst can nowadays legitimately be used in the contrastive… …   Wikipedia

  • 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. [1913 Webster] Use your memory; you will sensibly experience a gradual improvement, while you… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • While as — 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. [1913 Webster] Use your memory; you will sensibly experience a gradual improvement, while… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • While — While, prep. Until; till. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.] [1913 Webster] I may be conveyed into your chamber; I ll lie under your bed while midnight. Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • While — While, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Whiled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Whiling}.] To cause to pass away pleasantly or without irksomeness or disgust; to spend or pass; usually followed by away. [1913 Webster] The lovely lady whiled the hours away. Longfellow.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • While — While, v. i. To loiter. [R.] Spectator. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • while — I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hwīl; akin to Old High German hwīla time, Latin quies rest, quiet Date: before 12th century 1. a period of time especially when short and marked by the occurrence of an action or a condition ;… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • while — See: AFTER A WHILE or IN A WHILE, ALL THE TIME(1), EVERY NOW AND THEN or EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, ONCE IN A WHILE …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • while — See: AFTER A WHILE or IN A WHILE, ALL THE TIME(1), EVERY NOW AND THEN or EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, ONCE IN A WHILE …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • While My Guitar Gently Weeps — Song by The Beatles from the album The Beatles Released 22 November 1968 (1968 11 22) Recorded 5 September 1968 …   Wikipedia

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