While /(?)/
While
n.
-
Space of time, or continued duration, esp. when short; a time; as, one while we thought him innocent.
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.
And so on us at whiles it falls, to claim Powers that we dread.
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.
While
v. i.
- To loiter. [R.]
While
conj.
-
During the time that; as long as; whilst; at the same time that; as, while I write, you sleep.
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.
Phrases & Compounds
- While as
- during or at the time that.
While
prep.
-
Until; till. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
I may be conveyed into your chamber; I'll lie under your bed while midnight.