While
While , noun
[Anglo-Saxon hwīl; akin to Old Saxon hwīl, hwīla, OFries. hwīle, Dutch wigl, German weile, Old High German wīla, hwīla, hwīl, Icelandic hvīla a bed, hvīld rest, Swedish hvila, Danish hvile, Gothic hweila a time, and probably to Latin quietus quiet, and perhaps to Greek {not transcribed} the proper time of season. r20. Compare Quiet, Whilom.]
1.
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.
2.
That which requires time; labor; pains. [Obsolete]
Satan... cast him how he might quite her while.
And so on us at whiles it falls, to claim
Powers that we dread.
While , transitive verb
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 , intransitive verb
To loiter. [Rare] — Spectator
While , conjunction
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.
Use your memory; you will sensibly experience a gradual improvement, while you take care not to overload it.
2.
Hence, under which circumstances; in which case; though; whereas.
Collocations (1)
While as or While that , during or at the time that. [Obsolete]
While , preposition
Until; till. [Obsolete or Provincial English & Scottish]
I may be conveyed into your chamber;
I'll lie under your bed while midnight.