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/waɪl/ /hwaɪl/ Listen

conjunction

While conj.

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." "Use your memory; you will sensibly experience a gradual improvement, while you take care not to overload it."

Hence, under which circumstances; in which case; though; whereas.

While as, While that, during or at the time that. (Obs.)

noun

While n.

Space of time, or continued duration, esp. when short; a time; as, one while we thought him innocent. "All this while." "This mighty queen may no while endure." "(Some guest that) hath outside his welcome while, And tells the jest without the smile." "I will go forth and breathe the air a while."

That which requires time; labor; pains. (Obs.) "Satan... cast him how he might quite her while."

At whiles, at times; at intervals. "And so on us at whiles it falls, to claim Powers that we dread."

The while, The whiles, in or during the time that; meantime; while.

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.

verb

While v. t. (past & past part. whiled; pres. part. whiling) 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."

While v. i. To loiter. (R.)

preposition

While prep. Until; till. (Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.) "I may be conveyed into your chamber; I'll lie under your bed while midnight."

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Etymology of 'While'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"While" Quotes from Famous Books

... preparations for war. At home, with a view to greater efficiency, the duties of the Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, till then united in a single Secretaryship, were divided, the Duke of Newcastle assuming the former office, while Sir George Grey became Colonial Secretary; Lord John Russell also resumed office as President of the Council. The Russians were unsuccessful in their operations against the Turks, notably at Silistria and Giurgevo, while, as the summer advanced, public opinion ...

— The Letters of Queen Victoria, Volume III (of 3), 1854-1861 • Queen of Great Britain Victoria

... gone, like a wearisome guest, And, behold, for repayment, September comes in with the wind of the West And the Spring in her raiment! The ways of the frost have been filled of the flowers, While the forest discovers Wild wings, with the halo of hyaline hours, And ...

— An Anthology of Australian Verse • Bertram Stevens

... While spending a couple of days at Tastowich's house the subject of hunting was never long omitted from the general conversation; and upon learning from the half-breed that caribou were plentiful about a day's travel to the westward, nothing would do but Oo-koo-hoo must take that route on his ...

— The Drama of the Forests - Romance and Adventure • Arthur Heming

... score up to a few days ago was about even; yesterday, however, was a red-letter day and I scored an overwhelming victory. Bear with me while I tell you ...

— Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 158, February 18th, 1920 • Various

... with big pistols which they shot off recklessly was hardly reassuring, however sugary our speech, and it was not to be wondered at if the tenants bolted through windows and down fire-escapes wherever we went. But as no one was murdered, things calmed down after a while, though months after I found the recollection of our visits hanging over a Stanton Street block like a nightmare. We got some good pictures; but very soon the slum and the awkward hours palled upon the amateurs. ...

— The Making of an American • Jacob A. Riis

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