while

1. n. Space of time, or continued duration, esp. when short; a time; as, one while we thought him innocent. Source: opted

2. n. That which requires time; labor; pains. Source: opted

3. v. t. To cause to pass away pleasantly or without irksomeness or disgust; to spend or pass; -- usually followed by away. Source: opted

4. v. i. To loiter. Source: opted

5. conj. During the time that; as long as; whilst; at the same time that; as, while I write, you sleep. Source: opted

6. conj. Hence, under which circumstances; in which case; though; whereas. Source: opted

7. prep. Until; till. Source: opted

8. n. a period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition Source: wordnet

9. 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. 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. To loiter. [R.] Spectator. 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.] Until; till. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.] I may be conveyed into your chamber; I'll lie under your bed while midnight. Beau. & Fl. Source: webster

10. To cause to pass away pleasantly or without irksomeness ordisgust; to spend or pass; -- usually followed by away.The lovely lady whiled the hours away. Longfellow. Source: adambom

11. c:88/n:12 n. a period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition Source: ecdict

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