whiling

Variant of while

while definition

while (hwīl, wīl)

noun

a period or space of time a short while

Etymology: ME < OE hwil, akin to Ger weile < IE base *kweye-, to rest > L quies, quiet

conjunction

  1. during or throughout the time that we waited while she dined
  2. at the same time that while you're up, close the door
    1. although on the one hand while he was not poor, he had no ready cash
    2. whereas; and on the other hand the walls are green, while the ceiling is white
  4. North Eng., Archaic until

North Eng., Archaic until

transitive verb whiled, whiling whil′·ing

to spend (time) in a pleasant way; cause to pass idly: often with away to while away the afternoon

Etymology: < whilethe , but meaning prob. infl. by wile

while Idioms

between whiles

now and then; at intervals

the while

at the same time; during this very time

worth someone's while

worth someone's time, consideration, etc.; profitable in some way

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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