While
[waɪl]
Definition
(noun.) a period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition; 'he was here for a little while'; 'I need to rest for a piece'; 'a spell of good weather'; 'a patch of bad weather'.
Editor: Priscilla--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) Space of time, or continued duration, esp. when short; a time; as, one while we thought him innocent.
(n.) That which requires time; labor; pains.
(v. t.) To cause to pass away pleasantly or without irksomeness or disgust; to spend or pass; -- usually followed by away.
(v. i.) To loiter.
(conj.) During the time that; as long as; whilst; at the same time that; as, while I write, you sleep.
(conj.) Hence, under which circumstances; in which case; though; whereas.
(prep.) Until; till.
Inputed by Annie
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Time, season, space of time.
ad. [1]. During the time that.[2]. As long as.[3]. At the same time that.
Edited by Ivan
Definition
n. a space of time: trouble spent.—adv. during the time that: at the same time that as long as.—v.t. to cause to pass without irksomeness (with away).—conjs. While Whilst as long as: at the same time that: (Shak.) until; Whiles (B.) while at the same time that.—adv. (Scot.) at times (orig. gen. of A.S. hwéŸ).—advs. Whī′lom Whī′lome (Milt.) formerly once (orig. dat. pl. of A.S. hwéŸ time).—Every once in a while now and then; The while (Shak.) in the meantime; The whilst (Shak.) while: in the meantime; Worth while worth the trouble and time taken.
Typed by Enid
Examples
- I have something beyond this, but I will call it a defect, not an endowment, if it leads me to misery, while ye are happy. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- He made that brief reply warmly, dropping his hand on the table while he spoke, and turning towards us again. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- For a short while the world outside of Menlo Park held Edison's claims in derision. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Or her taste for peculiar people, put in Mrs. Archer in a dry tone, while her eyes dwelt innocently on her son's. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- The next morning after the capture of Petersburg, I telegraphed Mr. Lincoln asking him to ride out there and see me, while I would await his arrival. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Miss Kate took out her sketch again, and Margaret watched her, while Mr. Brooke lay on the grass with a book, which he did not read. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- While there's a handful of fire or a mouthful of bed in this present roof, you're fully welcome to your share on it. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- However, he told us between-whiles that he was doing it to such an extent that he wondered his hair didn't turn grey. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- He finds time to look in between-whiles, when anybody else with half his work to do would be thinking about not being able to come. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- This the landlady of the Break of Day chirpingly explained, calling between whiles, 'Hola, my husband! Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- There ought to have been some guardian, or such-like, whiles you was a minor. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- It died away into profound stillness between whiles. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- We spoke in whispers; listening, between whiles, for any sound in the room above. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- He held her clasped in his left arm, and between whiles her low voice was heard tenderly imploring him to go away with her. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Beyond this it was no more successful than the other experiments with which the winter was whiled away. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The time was whiled away pleasantly enough at Matamoras, while we were waiting for volunteers. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
Typed by Irwin