While (?), n. [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. the proper time of season. Cf. 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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
The lovely lady whiled the hours away.
Longfellow.
© Webster 1913.
While, v. i.
To loiter.
[R.]
Spectator.
© Webster 1913.
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.]
© Webster 1913.
While, prep.
Until; till.
[Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
I may be conveyed into your chamber;
I'll lie under your bed while midnight.
Beau. & Fl.
© Webster 1913.