whilen.
/wʌɪl/, U.S. /(h)waɪl/ I. Senses relating to time in terms of duration.† 4. (without article.) Sufficient or available time, leisure for doing something: = time n. 9.† 5.
1.
a. A portion of time, considered with respect to its duration; = time n. 1, 2, rarely 4 or 6. Now almost exclusively in certain connections (see below), the ordinary word being time. Formerly with genitive while's. Rarely plural.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > [noun] > stretch, period, or portion of time
tidea900
while971
fristOE
stemOE
throwOE
timeOE
selea1250
piecec1300
termc1300
stagea1325
whilesc1330
space?a1400
racec1400
spacec1405
termine1420
parodya1425
timea1425
continuancec1440
thrallc1450
espace1483
space of timec1500
tracta1513
stead1596
reach1654
amidst1664
stretch1698
spell1728
track1835
lifetime1875
time slice1938
971 Blickl. Hom. 125 Hwilce hwile hine wille Drihten her on worlde lætan.
a1250 Owl & Nightingale 1591 And swuþe longe hire is þe hwile, An ek steape hire þunþ a mile.
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 12562 Holy cherche, despyse and fyle, Þat wyl y bleþly, alle my whyle.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 221 He despeired for the while.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 22161 Als symon magus in his quile Right sua sal he þe folk bigile.
1473 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 461 They shall dwell there, I wot no whyghe.
1485 W. Caxton tr. Paris & Vienne (1957) 70 After a whyle of tyme.
1533 T. More Answere Poysened Bk. i. xi. f. xlii Though ye se euery man dye here for the whyle, yet I shall..reyse them all vppe..at the laste daye.
1548 in A. Feuillerat Documents Office of Revels Edward VI (1914) 32 During the whiles thies maskes were a makyng.
1614 T. Overbury et al. Wife now Widdow From France sig. G8v Haue but that whiles patience you may passe it dry-foot.
1644 K. Digby Two Treat. i. xv. 135 The fire, in all this while of continuall application to the body it thus anatomiseth [etc.].
a1683 J. Oldham Remains in Verse & Prose 53 in Wks. & Remains (1684) Thy prudent Conduct had so learnt to measure The different whiles of Toil and Leasure.
1828 R. Southey Let. in Corr. R. Southey with C. Bowles (1881) 133 I am now..stealing whiles of time for the Colloquies, which are approaching to their close.
1829 T. Carlyle Novalis in Crit. & Misc. Ess. (1840) II. 228 After short whiles, all is again swimming vaguely before them.
1841 G. Catlin Lett. N. Amer. Indians II. liv. 186 Filling up the while with nonsensical garrulity.
1894 in Milne Rom. Pro-consul (1911) 26 We had a capital while together.
b. with adjective expressing quantity, as good (good adj. 10), great, little, long, short; also any, no, some: forming esp. adverbial phr. = for a (long, etc.) time.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > [noun] > long duration or lasting through time > a long time
seven daysOE
a while1297
dreichc1440
dreightc1450
yearsa1470
age1577
week1597
montha1616
patriarch's age1693
length1697
eternity1700
a month of Sundays1759
a week of Sundays1822
a week of Saturdays1831
dog's age1833
forever1833
while1836
aeon1880
donkey's years1916
light year1929
yonks1968
OE Beowulf 146 Wæs seo hwil micel.
OE Genesis 486 Lytle hwile sceolde he his lifes niotan.
a1175 Cott. Hom. 221 He wes to sume wile anstandende.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 2392 Ȝho bilæf wiþþ hire frend Ȝet affterr þatt summ while.
c1290 St. Dunstan 51 in S. Eng. Leg. 20 A guode ȝwyle it was a-gon.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 632 Whether he lyf lang or short while.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3124 He began to luf him sua þat he moght na quil him for-ga.
c1450 Mankind 574 in Macro Plays 22 Ewynsonge hath be in þe saynge, I trow, a fayer wyll; I am yrke of yt.
1541 T. Elyot Castel of Helthe (new ed.) ii. xxviii. 45 To liue lesse while than other men.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 175v Philippus..had slept a great long while together.
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 81 The shorter while you staie vpon the discord, the lesse offence you giue.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 506 Having enjoied these honors a small while.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 33. ⁋1 I do not know any thing that has pleased me so much a great while.
1796 C. Burney Mem. Life Metastasio II. 201 I have not written to you a long while.
1836 J. H. Newman Lett. & Corr. (1891) II. 197 I am not more lonely than I have been a long while.
1871 J. Ruskin Fors Clavigera I. ii. 15 A little while since, I was paying a visit in Ireland.
1897 F. Montgomery Tony i The two sat for a little while at the other end of the carriage.
c. a while (also rarely one while): (a) as noun phrase, a time, esp. a short or moderate time (chiefly with the prepositions after, for, in, †within); sometimes mistakenly written as one word, under the influence of awhile adv. Contextually: = a considerable time, some time, as in quite a while (colloquial). (b) as adverbial phr. = for a (short or moderate) time (see also awhile adv.).once in a while: see once adv., conj., adj., and n. Phrases 9.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [adverb]
short whilec897
littleOE
awhileOE
littlec1175
a litel wanc1200
a while1297
while?a1505
till soona1529
for a moment1593
for a moment1611
short1611
for a flash1625
momentally1646
momentarily1655
for a sudden1688
shortly1809
momently1827
the world > time > duration > [noun] > long duration or lasting through time > a long time
seven daysOE
a while1297
dreichc1440
dreightc1450
yearsa1470
age1577
week1597
montha1616
patriarch's age1693
length1697
eternity1700
a month of Sundays1759
a week of Sundays1822
a week of Saturdays1831
dog's age1833
forever1833
while1836
aeon1880
donkey's years1916
light year1929
yonks1968
(a)
(b)1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2352 He sede he moste wende a wule out of þis lond.a1300 Cursor Mundi 1309 Quen seth a quil had loked in, He sagh..mikel welth and win.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3622 A wyel sco hir vmbithogt.1423 Kingis Quair ii I..toke a boke to rede apon a quhile.1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 97 The sayde league continued but a while.1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ii. 918 The warie fiend Stood on the brink of Hell and look'd a while, Pondering his Voyage. View more context for this quotation1734 H. Fielding Don Quixote in Eng. ii. xiv. 37 My Landlord and the Coachman won't overtake them one while, I warrant.1781 S. Johnson Fenton in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets VI. 3 He was a while secretary to Charles earl of Orrery.1816 J. Wilson City of Plague ii. ii I will sit down a while.1873 H. Spencer Study Sociol. (1877) vii. 148 The Smallpox epidemic, which a while since so unaccountably spread.c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke iv. 5 In momento temporis, in huil tides.]
a1300 Havelok 722 Ne were neuere but ane hwile Þat it ne gan a wind to rise.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 4573 Wyþinne a wyle þer wer y-dyȝt, Mo þan ten þousant of Sarzyns wyȝt.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 1620 Þe burne byfore baltazar was broȝt in a whyle.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur vii. x. 226 Within a whyle they sawe a toure as whyte as ony snowe.
1489 W. Caxton tr. C. de Pisan Bk. Fayttes of Armes i. xxiii. 72 It was doon but awhyle agoon.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid iv. iv. 29 Quhen Apollo list..leif the flude Exanthus, for a quhile, To vesy Delos.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxi. 213 They were within a whyell far fro ye londes of ye .ii. admyralles sarazyns.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) John xvi. f. cxlv After awhyle ye shall nott se me, and agayne after a whyle ye shall se me.
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer iv. sig. Tt.i After a whiles silence.
1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania 218 Pleasantly they passed a while together.
1718 F. Hutchinson Hist. Ess. conc. Witchcraft xv. 185 After a while's Practice.
1847 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words II. (at cited word) A while's work, work requiring a certain time.
1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xliv. 430 It is to be forgotten now; to be forgotten for a while.
1870 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (ed. 2) I. App. 700 So Eadwig escapes, at least for one while.
1882 ‘Ouida’ Bimbi 44 After awhile they seemed to pacify each other.
1900 Longman's Mag. Mar. 450 She..rather enjoyed getting wet through once in a while.
1905 E. Glyn Vicissitudes Evangeline 149 It was quite a while before he elicited the facts from me.
d. with demonstrative determiner that or this (now only with all preceding), forming adverbial phrases.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [adverb]
short whilec897
littleOE
awhileOE
littlec1175
a litel wanc1200
a while1297
while?a1505
till soona1529
for a moment1593
for a moment1611
short1611
for a flash1625
momentally1646
momentarily1655
for a sudden1688
shortly1809
momently1827
a1505 R. Henryson Robene & Makyne 59 in Poems (1981) 177 Makyne, I haif bene heir this quhyle; At hame God gif I wair.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. ii. sig. O2 Her other sisters.., Who all this while were at their wanton rest.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iii. iv. 174 I haue this while with laden thoughts bin prest. View more context for this quotation
1629 J. Gaule Practique Theories Christs Predict. 355 The Iewes rested that Sabbath now; Christ rested that while in his Graue.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 51. ⁋8 He would see he has been mistaken all this while.
1871 S. Smiles Character ii. 34 All this while, too, the training of the character is in progress.
e. with qualifying noun: The duration of, or time needed for (what is denoted by the noun). Obsolete or archaic.breathing-while, life-while, minute while, paternoster while, etc.: see the nouns.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > [noun] > of something spec.
whilea1400
whilec1400
call time1859
timing1889
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 21038 Þar he was in a tuelmoth quile.
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xi. 372 He miȝte amende in a Minute while [c1400 C text mynt-while] al þat mys standeth.
c1430 Chev. Assigne 286 To speke with hym but a speche whyle.
?c1450 in G. J. Aungier Hist. & Antiq. Syon Monastery (1840) 274 Al the bellys schal be ronge one Miserere whyle at leste, and than the chaptyr belle schal be ronge oo Pater noster while.
1593 W. Shakespeare Venus & Adonis sig. Giijv It shall..Bud, and be blasted, in a breathing while . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) i. vi. 32 Wherefore a guard of chosen Shot I had, That walkt about me euery Minute while . View more context for this quotation
1676 W. Wycherley Plain-dealer iii. i Stay but a making Water while, (as one may say) and I'll be with you again.
1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country 416 Turn round and look about, a breathing-while!
2. a1400 Minor Poems from Vernon MS xxix. v. 49 For al þe while he was so seek, He feled neuere lisse ne lith, Þerfore hym þouȝte beter legles.1482 in H. E. Malden Cely Papers (1900) 109 Hyt was not comen to Bregys all the whyle he wus there.1539 Bible (Great) 1 Sam. xxii. 4 They dwelt wt him all the whyle that Dauid kepte him selfe in hold.a1614 J. Melville Autobiogr. & Diary (1842) 485 He remeanit in the town all the whyll.1656 Ld. Orrery Parthenissa V. iii. iv. 227 All the while I was speaking, I was much concern'd in Statira's looks.1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 539 All the while Sonorous mettal blowing Martial sounds. View more context for this quotation1700 Hickes in Pepys's Diary, etc. (1879) VI. 206 She was shut up all the while we were there.1844 B. Disraeli Coningsby III. viii. vi. 235 The rogue had an eye all the while to Quarter Day.a1864 N. Hawthorne Septimius Felton (1872) 152 But all the while he was gone there was the mark of a bloody footstep impressed upon the stone doorstep of the Hall.† c. to while (with constructions as above): For a time; for the time, meanwhile; for the time that, while. So þer hwile, etc.: see therewhile adv. Obsolete.† d. in the while: in the mean time, meanwhile. Obsolete. (For in the meanwhile at meanwhile n. 1.)† e. most while (cf. most adv.): on most occasions, for the most part.† f. by while: on occasion, from time to time. over while: at times. Cf. umquhile adv. and adj.
a. the while (Old English þá hwíle accusative): (a) as adverbial phr.: During the time, in the meantime, meanwhile; (b) followed by conj. †the or that, and later with ellipsis. archaic = while conj. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > [adverb] > meanwhile
all the whilec888
to whilec950
the whilec960
amongOE
emethena1300
to whilesa1300
therewhilesc1320
that whilesc1330
i-whilesa1340
in (that, this, which, etc.) meantime1340
in the meanwhilea1375
(all) the (also this, that) meantimea1382
in the mean season (also space)a1382
the mean seasona1382
the meanwhilea1382
in the meantimec1384
for the meanwhilec1390
in the mean(s) whilesc1390
the whilesa1400
the whilsta1400
whilsta1400
(in) the meanwhile that?1418
therewhilec1430
mesne1439
meanwhile1440
for the meantime1480
while1508
in the while1542
in the mean1565
in the mean way1569
interim1580
in (that, this, which, etc.) meanwhilea1593
meantimea1593
this while1594
mean space1600
among-hands?1609
between (betwixt obsolete or archaic) whiles1647
ad interim1701
per interim1724
interimistically1890
c960 Æthelwold Rule St. Benet (Schröer) ix. 33 Man þreo rædinga ræde and þry ræpsas, and ealle þa gebroþra þa hwile sittan.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 1273 Þe king þe wule londone bisegede uaste.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. vii. 8 What schul we wimmen worche þe while?
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 3889 Þe while [Vesp. To quils] holde lya in bedde þenne shal þou rachel wedde.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II ii. i. 212 Ile not be by the while . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iii. i. 24 If you'l sit downe Ile beare your Logges the while . View more context for this quotation
1772 H. Mackenzie Man of World i. xi ‘I will go,’ said she, sobbing, ‘and pray for him the while.’
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. xx. 203 Mr. Chuckster..telling him he was wanted inside, bade him go in and he would mind the chaise the while.
1891 ‘J. S. Winter’ Lumley iv. 30 Wouldn't you like some lollipops to eat the while?
b. all the while (with constructions as above): During the whole time (that).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > [adverb] > meanwhile
all the whilec888
to whilec950
the whilec960
amongOE
emethena1300
to whilesa1300
therewhilesc1320
that whilesc1330
i-whilesa1340
in (that, this, which, etc.) meantime1340
in the meanwhilea1375
(all) the (also this, that) meantimea1382
in the mean season (also space)a1382
the mean seasona1382
the meanwhilea1382
in the meantimec1384
for the meanwhilec1390
in the mean(s) whilesc1390
the whilesa1400
the whilsta1400
whilsta1400
(in) the meanwhile that?1418
therewhilec1430
mesne1439
meanwhile1440
for the meantime1480
while1508
in the while1542
in the mean1565
in the mean way1569
interim1580
in (that, this, which, etc.) meanwhilea1593
meantimea1593
this while1594
mean space1600
among-hands?1609
between (betwixt obsolete or archaic) whiles1647
ad interim1701
per interim1724
interimistically1890
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. x Eall hie [sc. earfoðnesse] us þyncað þy leohtran ða hwile þe þa oncras fæste bioð.
971 Blickl. Hom. 35 Swa we sceolan þa hwile þe we lifgaþ her on worlde.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 7 Þis witeȝede dauid þe þe salm scop in þe saltere muchel erdþon þa wile he liuede.
c1290 St. Cuthbert 3 in S. Eng. Leg. 359 Þe ȝwyle þat he was a ȝong child.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 1962 Þo was traen al a louerd þe wule it wolde ylaste.
c1425 Engl. Conquest Ireland (1896) 16 The whill the host was thus in Ossory.
1594 C. Marlowe & T. Nashe Dido i. i. A 4 The while thine eyes attract their sought for ioyes.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iii. ii. 33 Vnsafe the while, that wee must laue Our Honors in these flattering streames. View more context for this quotation
1633 G. Herbert Sacrifice in Temple xxxviii I for both have wept When all my tears were bloud, the while you slept.
1650 J. Carstaires Lett. (1846) 68 Not the whyle I was at home with you nor since.
1820 J. Keats Lamia ii, in Lamia & Other Poems 31 Beseeching him, the while his hand she wrung, To change his purpose.
1870 W. Morris Earthly Paradise: Pt. III 380 The while his right [hand] did shade His eyes from the bright sun.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > [adverb] > meanwhile
all the whilec888
to whilec950
the whilec960
amongOE
emethena1300
to whilesa1300
therewhilesc1320
that whilesc1330
i-whilesa1340
in (that, this, which, etc.) meantime1340
in the meanwhilea1375
(all) the (also this, that) meantimea1382
in the mean season (also space)a1382
the mean seasona1382
the meanwhilea1382
in the meantimec1384
for the meanwhilec1390
in the mean(s) whilesc1390
the whilesa1400
the whilsta1400
whilsta1400
(in) the meanwhile that?1418
therewhilec1430
mesne1439
meanwhile1440
for the meantime1480
while1508
in the while1542
in the mean1565
in the mean way1569
interim1580
in (that, this, which, etc.) meanwhilea1593
meantimea1593
this while1594
mean space1600
among-hands?1609
between (betwixt obsolete or archaic) whiles1647
ad interim1701
per interim1724
interimistically1890
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke viii. 13 Qui ad tempus credunt, ðaðe to tid vel to huil gelefað.
c1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 348 Þonne meaht þu hine betan to hwile.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1104 We sulen it fren, Ðor-quile ðu wilt ðor-inne ben.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 4141 To whyle þe kyng & his cosyns In loue loken ar þer lynes, Richesse þey hadde ynow to wylle.
1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 71 To while þat he was fresch þei fond him fulle austere.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) l. 22060 An angel..To þe dragune suiþ he wanne,..And in þat pitte him sperid faste, To-quile a thusande ȝier to laste.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > [adverb] > meanwhile
all the whilec888
to whilec950
the whilec960
amongOE
emethena1300
to whilesa1300
therewhilesc1320
that whilesc1330
i-whilesa1340
in (that, this, which, etc.) meantime1340
in the meanwhilea1375
(all) the (also this, that) meantimea1382
in the mean season (also space)a1382
the mean seasona1382
the meanwhilea1382
in the meantimec1384
for the meanwhilec1390
in the mean(s) whilesc1390
the whilesa1400
the whilsta1400
whilsta1400
(in) the meanwhile that?1418
therewhilec1430
mesne1439
meanwhile1440
for the meantime1480
while1508
in the while1542
in the mean1565
in the mean way1569
interim1580
in (that, this, which, etc.) meanwhilea1593
meantimea1593
this while1594
mean space1600
among-hands?1609
between (betwixt obsolete or archaic) whiles1647
ad interim1701
per interim1724
interimistically1890
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 77 Yet in ye while, thei would neuer the more foloe the steppes of thesame good menne.
1605 B. Jonson Sejanus ii. i. 263 In the while, Take from their strength some one or twaine, or more Of the maine Fautors. View more context for this quotation
a1617 P. Baynes Lectures 11 in Comm. First & Second Chapters Colossians (1634) In the while, wee must labour to keepe a watch over our soules.
1760–72 H. Brooke Fool of Quality (1809) II. xv. 95 Mary, in the while, being frighted almost to death.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > [adverb] > in many instances or on most occasions
many timec1275
many timesc1275
most whilec1383
oftenc1390
mostwhen1555
most an end1577
c1383 in Eng. Hist. Rev. Oct. (1911) 742 Neiþir preestis neiþir dekenis shulden ben occupied in ony seculer office in lordis courtis most whil seculer men ben sufficient to do suche seculer office.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > infrequency > [adverb] > sometimes or occasionally
whiloma900
whilea1000
stoundmealc1000
stundumOE
otherwhileOE
umquhile1154
with and withc1175
by stoundsa1225
otherwhilesc1225
umbestound?c1225
umbewhilec1230
then and thenc1275
sometime…sometime1297
umstounda1300
by while13..
over while13..
sometime1340
umbe throwea1350
at timesa1382
now and again (also anon, eft, now)a1393
umbwhile1393
eftsoona1398
sometimea1400
by sithesc1400
umbestoundsc1400
from time to (formerly unto) time1423
now and (also or) then1445
ever now and nowa1470
when and whenc1470
occasionallya1475
in timesa1500
whiles?a1500
whilomsa1500
sometimes1526
somewhiles1528
at whiles1540
ever now and then1542
a-whiles1546
somewhiles…, somewhiles1547
at sometimes1548
now and thenc1550
ever and anon1558
by occasions1562
on (also upon) occasion1562
as soon…as soon1581
every now and then (also again)1642
by a time1721
once and a while1765
ever and again1788
periodically1825
in spots1851
13.. Orfeo 8 Sum [layes ben] of happes þat fallen by whyle.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 97 He cessiþ to harme hem, or fendiþ hem ouer wyl.
3. spec. The time spent (connoting the trouble taken or labour performed) in doing something.† a. in phrases such as to quit or yield (one) his while, to repay (him) for his trouble, also ironically, to ‘pay (him) out’; to lose or spill one's while, to waste one's time or effort. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > [noun] > stretch, period, or portion of time > spell of some action
whilec1175
stint1533
crash1549
fleech1589
spell1707
return1763
run1864
fling period1885
go-round1911
jag1913
brannigan1928
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [noun] > trouble taken to accomplish anything
whilec1175
painc1330
pine?c1335
teenc1380
adoc1400
labourc1405
painsc1480
trouble1577
fatigue1669
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > treat one as he has been treated [verb (transitive)] > requite or pay back (a person)
foryield971
to quit or yield (one) his whilec1175
acquitc1300
quitc1330
restore?a1400
refound1438
requite1530
regrate?c1550
repay1557
redub1558
quittance1590
to meet witha1593
to pay (a person) (off) scot and lot1598
meeta1625
retaliate1629
reimburse1644
compensate1804
to even up on1879
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > be of no avail [verb (intransitive)] > expend effort in vain
to lose or spill one's whilec1175
to speak to the windc1330
tinec1330
to beat the windc1375
lose?a1513
to boil, roast, or wash a stonea1529
to lose (one's) oil1548
to plough the sand (also sands)a1565
to wash an ass's head (or ears)1581
to wash an Ethiop, a blackamoor (white)1581
to wash a wall of loam, a brick or tilea1600
to milk the bull (also he-goat, ram)1616
to bark against (or at) the moona1641
dead horse1640
to cast stones against the wind1657
dry-ditcha1670
baffle1860
to go, run or rush (a)round in circles1933
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > execute (vengeance) [verb (transitive)] > pay (a person) back
to quit or yield (one) his whilec1400
rewardc1400
pay?c1450
requite1534
to pay back1655
to pay off1699
to pay out1849
to get back at (also now less commonly on)1886
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 137 Mon sullðe his elmesse ðenne he heo ȝefeð sulche monne þe him deð..wiken and cherres and ðencheð mid his elmesse forȝelden him ðeo hwile.
a1250 Owl & Nightingale 1020 He miȝte bet sitte stille Vor al his wile he sholde spille.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2476 Send after help..& icholle hor wule ȝelde.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 151 The proverbe is, who that is trewe, Him schal his while nevere rewe.
c1400 Rom. Rose 4392 If Ielousie doth thee payne, Quyte hym his while thus agayne.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Miller's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 113 A clerc hadde lutherly biset his while But if he koude a Carpenter bigyle.
c1450 How Good Wijf (Lamb. 853) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 41 And he þat weel dooþ, Þou qwite him weel his whyle.
b. Now only in worth the while (now rare or archaic), worth one's while, worth while: often merely = worth doing, profitable, advantageous (the notion of time being weakened or lost). to make it worth (a person's) while, to give (him) sufficient recompense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > [phrase] > worthwhile
whilea1387
worth the whistling1546
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > reward or a reward > reward or recompense [verb (transitive)] > give (one) sufficient recompense
to make it worth (a person's) while1755
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1872) IV. 355 The queene..beet Iudas ful ofte, but al for nouȝt, ffor it was not worþ þe while.
1639 G. Digby in G. Digby & K. Digby Lett. conc. Relig. (1651) 123 I would not think my pains lost, or study of the Fathers not worth the while.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. i. §18 It had not been worth while for the soul to have been in the body.
1672 A. Marvell Rehearsal Transpros'd i. 166 Nor is it worth ones while to teach him out of other Authors.
1755 F. Brooke Old Maid No. 4. 21 In one word, madam, make it worth my while.
1843 C. J. Lever Jack Hinton 31 It is worth while being a soldier to be in Ireland.
1861 Mrs. H. Wood East Lynne III. iii. xix. 224 ‘Keep dark upon it, Bethel,’ he said, ‘I will make it worth your while.’
1877 T. H. Huxley Physiography 93 It may be worth while to explain the kind of information which they give.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [noun] > sufficient time or leisure
timeOE
stounda1225
while?c1225
spacec1300
leisure1553
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 27 Ȝef ȝe habbeð hwile seggeð Leuaui oculos.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1872) IV. 87 Whanne he myȝte have while he wroot fables.
c1450 Mirk's Festial 125 On Settyrday þay myȝt not haue whyll.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. vi. 223 If they might have had while and time as well to follow it.
a1639 W. Whately Prototypes (1640) i. xix. 233 He can have while to ruminate upon the evil things which Satan and the fleshe doe stirre up.
a. Term or period of office; transferred office, function, ‘place’. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > [noun]
wikec1000
officec1300
bishopricc1384
chairc1384
officeship?a1425
whilec1449
roomc1500
place1558
stallership1868
society > authority > office > [noun] > period of office
whilec1449
government1550
society > occupation and work > position or job > [noun] > period of office
whilec1449
limmu1862
term1868
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 386 Thouȝ this man which now lyueth performe not the deede for his while.
c1480 (a1400) St. Matthias 351 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 232 S[ch]aw quhilk of þire twa sa[l] ve ches to supple þe quhyle of Iudas.
b. Used in the Wycliffite Bible to render Latin vicissitudo in senses of turn: (a) a service rendered (= turn n. 4a); (b) by whiles, by turns (turn n. 8). Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > alternation > rotation > [adverb]
aboutOE
whilemeala1382
by whiles1382
in coursea1400
in turna1500
circularly1648
in rotation1771
round-by-round1933
rotationally1950
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [noun] > act of kindness
goodOE
loveOE
estdedea1325
bounty1330
benefice1340
benefit1377
while1382
whileness1382
officec1384
excellencec1385
goodshipa1393
kindnessc1400
benevolencec1425
benignityc1534
obligement1611
obligation1618
friendlinessa1633
benevolenta1639
beneficence1654
amability1655
benefactiona1662
knight-service1675
kindliness1883
humanity1985
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 1 Sam. xxiv. 20 The Lord ȝeelde to thee this while [L. vicissitudinem hanc], for that, that to day thou hast wrouȝt in me.
1388 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) 1 Kings v. 14 So that in twei monethis bi whilis thei weren in her howsis.
II. Senses relating to a particular time or occasion.
6. † c. With qualifying noun (cf. time n. 14b(b)), as dinner while, mass while, service while, supper while, etc.: see also the nouns. (Sometimes including the idea of duration, as in 1e.) Obsolete (or rare and archaic).
a. Time at which something happens or is done; occasion; †proper or suitable time; †season: = time n. 14, 15, 16 Obsolete exc. archaic or dialect (or as in 6e below).Mostly with qualifying word, either with preposition preceding, or with ellipsis of preposition forming adverbial phr. (cf. 1b – 1d, 2), e.g. that while = at that time, on that occasion, then; another while = ‘another time’, on another occasion; every while (also as one word, after everywhere), †at every time, always (obsolete): every time, on every occasion (dialect). See also below, and otherwhile adv., n., and adj., somewhile adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > [noun]
sitheeOE
tidec897
timeeOE
mealeOE
whilec950
throwOE
charec1000
stevenOE
timeOE
seasona1300
tempest1382
world1389
occasionc1425
tidement1575
period1602
minute1607
hinta1670
epoch1728
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [noun]
tidec888
timeeOE
whilec950
seleOE
seasona1300
tidefulnessa1340
spacea1382
placec1384
pudding time1546
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xxvi. 55 In illa hora.., in ðæm tid vel in ðære huile.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 51 Þat israelisshe folc was walkende toward ierusalem,..and þo wile was hersum godes hese.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2140 Þus wyle was he on halle sittyng with is puple atte mete, þan com þer an heþene kyng rydynge atte ȝete.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 13130 Seynt Iohn þis quile in prisoun lay.
c1400 MS. Serm. (Tollem. MS.) We been not sufficiaunt to knowe þe tymes or þe whilis þat þe fadir of þe Trynyte haþ put in his owne power.
1418–20 J. Page Siege Rouen in Hist. Coll. Citizen London (Camden) 33 The Fraynysche men in the same whyle, Forthe they went with Umfrevyle.
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. viii. 3 Whete heruest now in tempur lond is while Forto conclude.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur vii. v. 218 Hope ye so that I maye ony whyle stand a proued knyght.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 164 Thow did promyt, in Mayis lusty quhyle For to discryve the ros.
1552–3 in A. Feuillerat Documents Office of Revels Edward VI (1914) 129 At dyuers other tymes betwene those whiles.
1579–80 T. North tr. Plutarch Lives (1595) 842 The [dragon's] taile on a time fell out with the head, and complained, saying, it would another while go before, & would not alwaies come behind.
1648 R. Crashaw Steps to Temple (ed. 2) 49 But every where, and every while, Is one consistent solid smile.
1671 H. M. tr. Erasmus Colloquies 149 Eu. Were those women who encouraged thee with thee that while?
1861 D. G. Rossetti tr. Dante Vita Nuova in Early Ital. Poets ii. 299 What while a lady greets me with her eyes.
1884 R. Holland Gloss. Words County of Chester (1886) Every while stitch, every now and then; at times.
1886 R. L. Stevenson Kidnapped xxii. 213 There are whiles..when ye are altogether too canny and Whiggish to be company for a gentleman like me.
b. one while (adv.phr. ): †(a) at one time, on one occasion, in one case (usually opposed to another while, sometimes to then, again, anon); also rarely = on some future occasion, ‘some time’ (Obsolete); (b) U.S. a long time.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > [adverb] > once or at some former time
yetOE
oncec1175
somewhilec1200
sometime1297
once upon a timec1380
one while1470
sometimes1563
sometimes1577
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xvi. xvii. 688 Soo wente they douneward in the see one whyle bakward another whyle forward.
1575 W. Stevenson Gammer Gurtons Nedle ii. iii. sig. Ci One whyle his tonge it ran and paltered of a Cat, Another whyle he stamered styll vppon a Rat.
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. ii. i. 342 One-while the Boulime, then the Anorexie, Then the Dog-hunger.
1694 R. South 12 Serm. II. 98 Those, who are one while courteous..and obliging,..but within a small time after, are so supercilious, sharp, [etc.].
1744 E. Haywood Female Spectator (1748) I. v. 262 One while we are transmogrified into milk-maids—then into a kind of Amazonians.
1815 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. I. iii. 75 One while a silky fluid should be secreted, at another none.
1836 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker (1837) 1st Ser. xvi. 136 You'll search one while..afore you'll find a man that..is equal to one of your free and enlightened citizens.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. xi. 159 I'd mark him..so that he'd carry it one while.
1897 ‘M. Twain’ Following Equator liii. 511 If India knows about nothing else American, she knows about those, and will keep them in mind one while.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > [noun] > of something spec.
whilea1400
whilec1400
call time1859
timing1889
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) 1097 Ȝe schal..lyȝe in your ese. To-morn quyle þe messe-quyle.
R. Misyn tr. R. Rolle Fire of Love 95 With desire in meet qwhiel to ȝerne.
1557 H. Machyn Diary (1848) 148 My lord of London begane the durge, with ys myter [on] alle the durge wylle.
1597 T. Beard Theatre Gods Iudgements i. xxiii. 117 The gouernour of Mascon, a magitian whome the deuill snatched vp in dinner while.
a1667 C. Hoole Accidence (1671) 110 Inter cœnandum, at supper while.
1868 R. Browning Ring & Bk. I. i. 17 Be it but a straw twixt work and whistling-while.
d. In exclamations of grief: cf. similar use of day, time. Chiefly poetic. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > lamentation or expression of grief > cry of grief > [interjection] > specific cry of grief
woeeOE
wellawayeOE
weilac1000
wellawayOE
wellaOE
woe is meOE
wummec1175
wia1200
outa1225
alas?c1225
walec1275
ac1300
whilec1402
ochonea1425
wellesay?1440
wannowec1450
helas1484
ah1509
ocha1522
ah me!a1547
wougha1556
eh1569
welladay1570
how1575
wellanear1581
ay me!1591
lasa1593
wella, welladay1601
good lack!1638
oime1660
pillaloo1663
wellanearing1683
lack-a-day1695
wasteheart1695
walya1724
lackadaisy1748
ochree1748
waesucks1773
well-a-winsa1774
ullagone1819
wirra1825
mavrone1827
wirrasthru1827
ototoi1877
wurra1898
c1402 J. Lydgate Compl. Black Knight 244 This is the cold that wolde the fyr abate Of trewe mening; alas! the harde whyle!
c1440 York Myst. vi. 51 That we shulde haue alle welthis in walde, wa worthe þe whyle!
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid vi. viii. 77 Alace the quhile!
a1586 A. Montgomerie Misc. Poems xxi. 25 O! waryit be the vhyle That euer we wer acquent!
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 ii. v. 132 God helpe the while, a bad world I say. View more context for this quotation
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake ii. 64 Woe the while That brought such wanderer to our isle!
1825 W. Scott Talisman x, in Tales Crusaders III. 245 He conceives himself, God help the while, ungratefully treated.
e. Phrases with plural: at whiles, at times, sometimes, at intervals. between (betwixt obsolete or archaic) whiles: see between-whiles adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > infrequency > [adverb] > sometimes or occasionally
whiloma900
whilea1000
stoundmealc1000
stundumOE
otherwhileOE
umquhile1154
with and withc1175
by stoundsa1225
otherwhilesc1225
umbestound?c1225
umbewhilec1230
then and thenc1275
sometime…sometime1297
umstounda1300
by while13..
over while13..
sometime1340
umbe throwea1350
at timesa1382
now and again (also anon, eft, now)a1393
umbwhile1393
eftsoona1398
sometimea1400
by sithesc1400
umbestoundsc1400
from time to (formerly unto) time1423
now and (also or) then1445
ever now and nowa1470
when and whenc1470
occasionallya1475
in timesa1500
whiles?a1500
whilomsa1500
sometimes1526
somewhiles1528
at whiles1540
ever now and then1542
a-whiles1546
somewhiles…, somewhiles1547
at sometimes1548
now and thenc1550
ever and anon1558
by occasions1562
on (also upon) occasion1562
as soon…as soon1581
every now and then (also again)1642
by a time1721
once and a while1765
ever and again1788
periodically1825
in spots1851
the world > time > [adverb] > meanwhile
all the whilec888
to whilec950
the whilec960
amongOE
emethena1300
to whilesa1300
therewhilesc1320
that whilesc1330
i-whilesa1340
in (that, this, which, etc.) meantime1340
in the meanwhilea1375
(all) the (also this, that) meantimea1382
in the mean season (also space)a1382
the mean seasona1382
the meanwhilea1382
in the meantimec1384
for the meanwhilec1390
in the mean(s) whilesc1390
the whilesa1400
the whilsta1400
whilsta1400
(in) the meanwhile that?1418
therewhilec1430
mesne1439
meanwhile1440
for the meantime1480
while1508
in the while1542
in the mean1565
in the mean way1569
interim1580
in (that, this, which, etc.) meanwhilea1593
meantimea1593
this while1594
mean space1600
among-hands?1609
between (betwixt obsolete or archaic) whiles1647
ad interim1701
per interim1724
interimistically1890
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 273 The vce of suche..visible signes..is good and profitable to be had at certein whilis.]
1540 J. Palsgrave tr. G. Gnapheus Comedye of Acolastus v. i. sig. Xivv Me semeth now and than, or at whiles that [etc.].
1647 J. Trapp Comm. Epist. & Rev. (Rom. ii. 15) Meanwhile, or, Betwixt whiles.
1717 Berkeley in Mem. (1784) 61 A sort of..dashing (as it were) of waves, and between whiles, a noise like that of thunder.
1802 A. Radcliffe Gaston de Blondeville in Wks. (1826) II. 62 To drive away the gloom, that yet, at whiles, hung upon his brow.
1865 A. C. Swinburne Chastelard ii. i. 66 To think what grievous fear I have 'twixt whiles Of mine own self and of base men.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
whilev.
/wʌɪl/, U.S. /(h)waɪl/ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] > for a time
while1606
1606 Bp. J. Hall Medit. & Vowes III. §88 Hee findes not any worthy employment to while himselfe withall.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage vii. xi. 592 The..still Lakes, thicke Woods, and varietie of the Continent-obseruations, haue thus long whiled vs.
a1659 F. Osborne Misc. Pref. B 8 The First Cause of their projection, being rather, for the intent to While my Selfe, then Busie others.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > perseverance or persistence > persevere or persist [verb (intransitive)]
continuec1340
perseverec1380
stick1447
to rub on1469
to stick unto ——1529
persist1531
to make it tougha1549
whilea1617
subsist1632
to rub along1668
let the world rub1677
dog1692
wade1714
to stem one's course1826
to stick in1853
to hang on1860
to worry along1871
to stay the course1885
slug1943
to slug it out1943
to bash on1950
to soldier on1954
to keep on trucking1972
a1617 P. Baynes Lectures 137 in Comm. First & Second Chapters Colossians (1634) They are poore, not brought up to it, not able to while it, wife and children might begge, [etc.].
3.
a. To cause (time) to pass without wearisomeness; to pass or get through (a vacant time), esp. by some idle or trivial occupation. Also, to divert the attention from, ‘beguile’ (sorrow, pain). Usually, now almost always, with away.Possibly developed from sense 1 by transference of the object from the person to the time. Association with such phrases as beguile the day, the time (Shakespeare), Latin diem decipere, French tromper le temps, has led to the substitution of wile v. by some modern writers.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > spending time > spend time or allow time to pass [verb (transitive)] > pleasantly
short1449
shorten1579
deceive1591
sport1593
delude1615
entreata1616
while1635
elude1660
divert1707
dangle1727
wile1796
smile1803
to round off1824
1635 F. Quarles Emblemes iii. xiii. 174 Nor do I beg this slender inch, to while The time away, or falsly to beguile My thoughts with joy.
a1644 F. Quarles Solomons Recantation (1645) Soliloquy ii. 10 And like a pain-afflicted stripling, play With some new Toy, to while thy grief away.
1706 F. Bragge Pract. Disc. Parables (ed. 3) I. i. 17 Those..who frequent our Religious Assemblies..to while away the Time that lies useless upon their Hands.
1726 A. Pope Corr. 9 Aug. (1956) II. 387 Let us while away this life; and (if we can) meet in another.
1769 J. Wesley Wks. (1872) XII. 374 There will be a danger likewise of whiling away time.
1796 F. Burney Camilla V. x. iii. 293 Such dangerous expedients to while away chagrin.
a1800 S. Pegge Anecd. Eng. Lang. (1814) 229 To while away so much time in perusing this Disquisition.
1807 Salmagundi 14 Aug. 279 These moments of mental gloom, whiled away by the cheerful exercise of our pen.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas IV. xii. viii. 421 A delightful residence, where he whiled away three weeks.
1814 Ld. Byron Corsair i. xiv. 22 Then shall my handmaids while the time along.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. ix. 134 When she left her own little room to while away the tedious hours.
1882 I. Mayo Mrs. Raven's Temptation I. 5 There was nothing for the young traveller to while the time with.
b. intransitive. Of time: To pass tediously. Now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > feeling of weariness or tedium > be or become wearied or bored [verb (intransitive)] > pass tediously (of time)
to lie or hang heavy1702
while1712
1712 [implied in: R. Steele Spectator No. 448. ⁋1 The whiling Time, the gathering together, and waiting a little before Dinner, is the most awkwardly passed away of any Part in the four and twenty hours. (at whiling adj.)].
1898 T. Hardy Wessex Poems 106 All that year and the next year whiled, And I still went thitherward.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)] > a person
tarry1340
deferc1384
delaya1425
prolongc1425
supersede1517
postpone1518
linger1534
belate1642
while off1646
remit1663
1646 N. Lockyer Serm. 31 If you cast them off too, when they have cast off all for you, or if you shall while them off, when they tell you, Sir, this is our last meale in the barrell [etc.].
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
whileadv.adj.conj.prep.
/wʌɪl/, U.S. /(h)waɪl/ A. adv. (and adj.)† 1. At a time or times, sometimes; esp. introducing each of two or more parallel phrases or clauses: At one time…at another time; now…then: = whilom adv. 1. Obsolete.† 2. † b. as adj. That formerly existed, occurred, etc.; former, ‘late’: = umquhile adj., whilom adv. 2b.† 3. For a or the time, temporarily; at the same time, meanwhile. (See also therewhile adv.) Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > infrequency > [adverb] > sometimes or occasionally
whiloma900
whilea1000
stoundmealc1000
stundumOE
otherwhileOE
umquhile1154
with and withc1175
by stoundsa1225
otherwhilesc1225
umbestound?c1225
umbewhilec1230
then and thenc1275
sometime…sometime1297
umstounda1300
by while13..
over while13..
sometime1340
umbe throwea1350
at timesa1382
now and again (also anon, eft, now)a1393
umbwhile1393
eftsoona1398
sometimea1400
by sithesc1400
umbestoundsc1400
from time to (formerly unto) time1423
now and (also or) then1445
ever now and nowa1470
when and whenc1470
occasionallya1475
in timesa1500
whiles?a1500
whilomsa1500
sometimes1526
somewhiles1528
at whiles1540
ever now and then1542
a-whiles1546
somewhiles…, somewhiles1547
at sometimes1548
now and thenc1550
ever and anon1558
by occasions1562
on (also upon) occasion1562
as soon…as soon1581
every now and then (also again)1642
by a time1721
once and a while1765
ever and again1788
periodically1825
in spots1851
a1000 Hymns (Gr.) iii. 44, 5 Hwile mid weorce, hwile mid worde, hwile mid geþohte þearle scyldi.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 133 Ure helend saweð his halie word hwile þurh his aȝene muðe and hwile þurh ðere apostlene muðe.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 207 Eȝen bihelden þat he ne sholden, wile idel, wile unnut, wile ifel.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7433 Quil wit gleu, and quil wit sang,..þus he serued saul lang.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 611 Quhill wald he think to luff hyr our the laiff And othir quhill he thocht on his dissaiff.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 338 For knawlage off mony statis May quhile awailȝe full mony gatis.
a1530 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Royal) i. Prol. l. 32 For Romans to rede is delytabylle, Suppose that thai be quhyle bot fabylle.
c1560 A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) xxxi. 24 Lufe sall him hald Wtin the dungeoun of dispair; Quhyle hett, quhyle cald.
1608 T. Hudson tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Ivdith vi. 89 in J. Sylvester Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) While vp he lifts his head, while lets it fall.
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 184 The intellect (fixing it selfe, while on one, and while on another wonder of matter and workemanship).
a. At one time, formerly, once: = whilom adv. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > [adverb]
erea822
fernOE
whileOE
erera1000
whilereOE
onceOE
somewhile1154
whilomc1175
herebeforec1200
somewhilesa1250
yorea1250
orc1275
rather?a1300
erewhilec1305
sometimea1325
sometimec1330
at or in sometime1340
in arrear1340
heretoforea1375
fernyear1377
once upon a timec1380
behinds1382
beforetimea1393
of olda1393
erenow1393
umquhilea1400
erst14..
fornec1400
yore whilec1400
of before1402
late1423
abefore1431
beforetimes1449
whilesc1480
sometime1490
aforrow?a1513
behind1526
quondamc1540
in foretime(s?c1550
erstwhile1569
erstwhiles1569
aleare1581
erewhiles1584
sometimes1597
formerly1599
anciently1624
olim1645
somewhile since1652
quondamly1663
forepassed1664
sometimea1684
backward1691
historically1753
time back1812
had-been1835
when1962
OE Deor 36 Þæt ic bi me sylfum secgan wille, þæt ic hwile wæs Heodeninga scop.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 17 Ne do þu þin uuel on-gein uuel swa me dude hwile.
a1250 Owl & Nightingale 1016 Þeȝ eni god man to hom come, So wile dude sum from rome.
c1305 St. Andrew 29 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 99 Þe gywes while nome And slowe him as he worþie was.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2580 Þat god of miȝt..Hwich of marie þat mayde briȝt while tok flechs & blode.
c1425 Wyntoun Cron. i. Prol. 15 Thai þat set haly þare delite Gestis or storyis for to write,..As Gwydo de Calumpna quhile.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adjective]
ererc888
fernOE
oldOE
oldOE
formerc1160
ratherc1330
before-goingc1384
formerc1384
forenexta1400
formea1400
while1399
antecedentc1400
precedentc1400
anteceding?a1425
late1446
whilom1452
preceding?a1475
forne1485
fore1490
heretofore1491
foregoing1530
toforegoing1532
further1557
firster1571
then1584
elder1594
quondam1598
forehand1600
previant1601
preallable1603
prior1607
anterior1608
previal1613
once1620
previous1621
predecessivea1627
antecedaneous?1631
preventive1641
prior1641
precedaneous1645
preventional1649
antegredient1652
senior1655
prevenient1656
precedential1661
antecedental1763
past-gone1784
antevenient1800
aforetime1835
one-time1850
onewhile1882
foretime1894
erstwhile1903
antecedane-
ere-
1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles iii. 363 Þey.. were y-dubbid of a duke ffor her while domes.
c1425 Wyntoun Cron. ii. viii. 756 For honoure of his modyr qwhile.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > [adverb] > meanwhile
all the whilec888
to whilec950
the whilec960
amongOE
emethena1300
to whilesa1300
therewhilesc1320
that whilesc1330
i-whilesa1340
in (that, this, which, etc.) meantime1340
in the meanwhilea1375
(all) the (also this, that) meantimea1382
in the mean season (also space)a1382
the mean seasona1382
the meanwhilea1382
in the meantimec1384
for the meanwhilec1390
in the mean(s) whilesc1390
the whilesa1400
the whilsta1400
whilsta1400
(in) the meanwhile that?1418
therewhilec1430
mesne1439
meanwhile1440
for the meantime1480
while1508
in the while1542
in the mean1565
in the mean way1569
interim1580
in (that, this, which, etc.) meanwhilea1593
meantimea1593
this while1594
mean space1600
among-hands?1609
between (betwixt obsolete or archaic) whiles1647
ad interim1701
per interim1724
interimistically1890
the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [adverb] > provisionally or temporarily
passingly1340
pro tempore1468
while1508
temporally1530
provisionally1597
interlocutorily1620
for the nonce1672
temporarilya1686
ad interim1701
probationally1707
pro tem1777
provisorily1802
to the nonce1802
temporaneously1818
transitionally1832
1508 W. Kennedy Flyting (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems W. Dunbar (1998) I. 214 Thou beggit wyth a pardon in all kirkis..And onder nycht quhile stall thou staggis and stirkis.
1568 (a1500) Colkelbie Sow iii. 9 in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1930) IV. 304 Thot he wald preve The thrid penny quhyle hid quhilk for ȝe tyme no fruct nor proffeit did.
1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ ii. x. 12 Yours while Jam. Howell.
B. conj. (and prep.)
1. † c. Without necessarily implying duration: At the time that; when. Obsolete.
a. while (that): during the time that. (Now expressed by while alone: cf. that conj. 6)Often with ellipsis before a participle or other predicative word or phrase, e.g. while walking, while at rest, while an infant.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > duration [conjunction] > during the time that
while (that)1154
tillc1330
to1357
while as1563
1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) anno 1137 Ðet lastede þa .xix. wintre wile Stephne was king.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 2393 Whil þatt ȝho wass. Wiþþ hire kinn att hame.
c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) (1963) l. 7421 Þat we solle hatie wile þat we libbeþ [c1275 Calig. þa while þa we luuien].
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2537 While men hunted after hem þai han a-wai schaped.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 6088 Ne hones noght quile ȝe er etand.
c1400 Pilgr. Sowle (1859) ii. lvii. 55 While that thou and I were coupled to geders, thou madest me to lede a ful vnthryfty lyf.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid i. v. 71 Quhill that of Troy and Ilion stude the ring.
1611 W. Mure Misc. Poems ii. 67 Quhil in this weak estait, all meanes I soght To be aweng'd on him.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) i. ii. 178 While [1600 whilste] that the Armed hand doth fight abroad, Th' aduised head defends it selfe at home. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 977 While thus he spake, th' Angelic Squadron bright Turnd fierie red. View more context for this quotation
1779 Mirror No. 32. ⁋6 While we were sitting together, talking of old stories,..John entered.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 662 Cornish was arrested while transacting business on the Exchange.
1882 W. Besant All Sorts of Men II. xv. 15 While he was laughing the door opened.
b. With special reference (a) to the extent of the time: During the whole, or until the end, of the time that; as long as (see also A. 2a); (b) to the limits of the time: Within, or before the end of, the time that.
ΚΠ
(a)
(b)c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 363 Him for to hoslen, and forto shriue, Hwil his bodi were on liue.1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xi. 287 Whil þow art ȝong and ȝep, and þy wepne kene, Awreke þe þerwith.c1450 Mirk's Festial 5 Wherfor, syrs,..whyll ȝe byn here, makyth amendes for your mys-dedys.c1450 Mankind 77 in Macro Plays 4 Lett ws be mery wyll we be here!a1555 D. Lindsay Tragedie in Dialog Experience & Courteour (1559) sig. Sv Amend ȝour lyfe now, quhill ȝour day Induris.1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 104 Set him betimes to School..While yet his youth is flexible and green. View more context for this quotation1825 T. Hook Sayings & Doings 2nd Ser. III. 253 I wish..that to-morrow..you would step down to the Tower;..while you are there, you might just go to the London Docks.1866 J. Ruskin Crown Wild Olive iii. 203 All the greatness she [sc. England] ever had,..she won while her fields were green and her faces ruddy.c1230 Hali Meid. 6 He wule carie for hire..hwil ha riht luueð him.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 301 Daþeit hwo it hire yeue Euere-more hwil i liue!
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 2255 Yf it worth sall to wy whil þe world standes.
1422 J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. 161 Whyle an hooke is a yonge Spyre, hit may be wonde into a wyth.
c1430 Two Cookery-bks. 23 Wasshem..whele þey ben slepyr.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 74/2 Chylde, whyle hyt can not speke, proles.
1529 T. More Dialogue Heresyes i. xv. 20/1 I shall loue her ye worse whyle I lyue.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iii. ii. 113 While thou liu'st keepe a good tongue in thy head. View more context for this quotation
1706 M. Prior Ode to Queen xix Nought done the Hero deem'd, while ought undone remain'd.
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews I. ii. iv. 181 She told her, ‘while there was Life there was Hope’. View more context for this quotation
1847 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) xxxii. 332 The confidence of this house..is not to be abused..while I have eyes and ears.
ΚΠ
a1300 Fragm. Pop. Sci. (Wright) 62 As me mai the mone i-seo while heo is nue riȝt.
c1320 Cast. Love (Halliw.) 403 For in tyme whill he fre was, He hede with him bothe Merci and Pes.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 15461 Whil ȝe se me kisse him: leye hondes on him allone.
1477 Rental Bk. Cupar-Angus (1879) I. 209 We half grantyt to the forsad Paton and Jonat the tak of Rechy Jak quhel it ma vake.
d. During which time; and meanwhile.
ΚΠ
c1400 Warres of the Jewes in T. Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry (1774) I. x. 311 In Tyberyus tyme the trewe emperour Syr Sesar hym sulf saysed in Rome Whyle Pylot was provost under that prynce ryche.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 147 Thus have I sung of Fields, and Flocks, and Trees,..While mighty Cæsar, thund'ring from afar, Seeks on Euphrates Banks the Spoils of War. View more context for this quotation
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. vi. 55 Moses sate reading, while I taught the little ones.
1820 J. Keats Lamia i, in Lamia & Other Poems 17 He pass'd,..while her eyes Follow'd his steps.
1905 E. Glyn Vicissitudes Evangeline 79 Mr. Montgomerie said rather gallant things to me,..while the girls looked shocked.
2. transferred with various connotations.
a. As long as, so long as (implying ‘provided that’, ‘if only’).
ΚΠ
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 14 Þe kirk may not iustli priue þe comyning of cristun men, nor taking of þe sacraments..wyle he is iust.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 60 Thar mycht succed na female, Quhill foundyn mycht be ony male.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. xlvii. 95 Neither boldnes can make vs presume as long as we are kept vnder with the sense of our owne wretchednes; nor, while we trust in the mercie of God through Christ Iesus, feare be able to tyrannize ouer vs.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. i. 47 The encroachments of the ecclesiastical power..produced much more happiness than misery, while the ecclesiastical power was in the hands of the only class that had studied history.
b. At the same time that (implying opposition or contrast); adversatively, when on the contrary or on the other hand, whereas; concessively, it being granted that; sometimes nearly = although.
ΚΠ
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost i. i. 75 Paynefully to poare vpon a Booke, To seeke the lyght of trueth, while trueth the whyle Doth falsely blinde the eye-sight of his looke. View more context for this quotation
1617 W. Mure Misc. Poems xxi. 23 Whill others aime at greatnes boght with blood, Not to bee great thou stryves, bot to bee good.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. i. §7 While they deny a Deity, they assert other things on far less reason.
1719 I. Watts Psalms of David 68 There would I find a settled Rest, (While others go and come).
1749 D. Hartley Observ. Man i. i. §2. 75 White is vulgarly thought to be the most uncompounded of all Colours, while yet it really arises from a certain Proportion of the Seven primary Colours.
1857 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilisation Eng. I. x. 608 While the object of the people was to free themselves from the yoke, the object of the nobles was merely to find new sources of excitement.
1864 J. Bryce Holy Rom. Empire iii. 24 In rude and unsettled states of society men respect forms and obey facts, while careless of rules and principles.
1908 R. Bagot Anthony Cuthbert vi. 51 While regretting the sorrow which had fallen upon him, Miss Cuthbert was nevertheless glad that her brother was free.
c. In modern colourless use: At the same time that, besides that, in addition to the fact that; often = and at the same time, and besides.
ΚΠ
1750 W. Shenstone Rural Elegance 161 There, while the seeds of future blossoms dwell, 'Tis colour'd for the sight, perfum'd to please the smell.]
1860 Löwenthal Morphy's Games Chess 165 A very good move, for while it brings the Queen into a more attacking position, it at the same time defends White's Queen's Pawn.
1904 Times 25 May 3/6 The walls..are decorated with white enamelled panelling, while the frieze and ceiling are in modelled plaster.
3.
a. (†Also with that, at.) Up to the time that; till, until. Now dialect (chiefly northern).Occasionally with reference to place, etc.: †while it come to = as far as, up to.
ΚΠ
a1400 Seuyn Sages (W.) 1644 Dwelle thou, wil ich arisen be.
1419 Munim. de Melros (Bannatyne Club) 502 Þe qwhilkis Indentours þe forsaid Nychole has delyuerit till þe said abbot and Conuent..qwhile at þai be fullely assythit of þe said fowrty pund.
c1460 Battle of Otterburn liv, in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1889) III. vi. 298 They swapped together whyll that they swette.
a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sloane) (1862) 46 Fyrst sethe þy mustuls quyl shel of lepe In water.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) iv. 763 Man is in-to dreding Ay of thingis to cum, quhill he Haue of the end the certante.
a1505 R. Henryson Bludy Serk 40 in Poems (1981) 159 To fecht with him..Quhill ane wer dungin doun.
1524 Queen Margaret in State Papers Henry VIII (1836) IV. 129 I thowt best to put them both in the castel of Edynbrou, vhol that thay fynd a vay how the Bodarz may be vel reulyd.
a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) I. 7 Thair was nevir perfytt stabillitie quhill that the Douglas was perisch deid and gane.
1589 ‘Pasquill of England’ Returne of Pasquill sig. Cij Let him swell while he burst.
1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 1st Pt. sig. D7v Faste and welcome sir, while hunger make you eat.
1688 J. Bunyan Heavenly Foot-man (1724) 77 Run sweet Babe, while thou art weary, and then I will take thee up and carry thee.
1759 R. Brown Compl. Farmer 9 Take horse-aloes..give him the purge.., and ride him out again while he purges.
1813 J. Hogg Queen's Wake i. viii. 84 They drank of the byshopis wyne Quhill they culde drynk ne mair.
1825 J. T. Brockett Gloss. North Country Words (at cited word) Stay while I come back.
1872 J. Hartley's Yorksh. Ditties 2nd Ser. 17 We blushed wol us faces wor all in a blaze.
b. as prep. Up to (a time), up to the time of; till, until. Now dialect (chiefly northern).
ΚΠ
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 1276 Þat þou fast noȝt whil to morne.
1464–5 in Acts Parl. Scot. (1874) XII. 30/2 Þt þe lew be proclamit to xiij s. iiij d. fra fasterin sewyn furth next tocum and quhill thane to haue course as thai haue now.
1559 in Wodrow Soc. Misc. (1844) 268 Thay..wald not beleif me..quhill now.
1587 R. Greene Euphues sig. I4v Their commaunds were dated but while death.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iii. i. 45 While then, God be with you. View more context for this quotation
1662 W. Gurnall Christian in Armour: 3rd Pt. 197 The Apothecary gathers his simples in Summer, which haply he may not use while Winter.
1721 Coll. Polit. Lett. London Jrnl. 1720 14 Tho' he sweat and scrub while Doomsday.
1722 Mason's Acct. in C. Wordsworth Rutland Words (1891) 39 I was 2 dayes; And my Son was 2 days. And the third day wile three a Clock.
1854 A. E. Baker Gloss. Northants. Words II. 393 It wants a quarter while nine o'clock.
4. while as (also occasionally as one word, cf. whenas adv. and conj., whereas adv. and conj.).† b. = A. 2b. Obsolete. rare.
a. = A. 1. Obsolete or rare (archaic).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > duration [conjunction] > during the time that
while (that)1154
tillc1330
to1357
while as1563
1563 B. Googe Eglogs Epytaphes & Sonettes sig. E.i Whyle as the rauenyng Wolues he prayed his gylteles lyfe to saue.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) i. i. 225 Pirates may make cheape penyworths of their pillage,..While as the silly Owner of the goods Weepes ouer them. View more context for this quotation
a1653 Z. Boyd Zion's Flowers (1855) 138 Hee spares while as the faults of men are young.
?1690 N. Burne Leader-Haughs & Yarow (single sheet) Burn cannot his grief asswage, Whileas his dayes endureth.
1794 Har'st Rig xci. 29 But now, whileas the shower does last, 'Tis nae thought proper they should fast.
1812 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Paradiso xxv. 79 Whileas I spake.
1918 W. de la Mare Motley & Other Poems 68 How do the days press on, and lay Their fallen locks at evening down, Whileas the stars in darkness play.
ΚΠ
1625 J. Hart Anat. Urines i. ii. 13 The chiefe..part of Physicke diagnosticke..is..neglected; while as the ordinarie sort of Physitians do onely labour to know..the nature..of the disease by the..indication of the..vrine.
1646 R. Baillie Anabaptism 98 To Christ they give but one nature, while as all Divines since his Incarnation give him two.
Compounds
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > swift movement of time > [adjective]
slidinga900
scrithingOE
henwardOE
swifta1225
short livya1325
passing1340
flittingc1374
shadowy1374
temporalc1384
speedfula1400
transitory?c1400
brittlea1425
unabidingc1430
frail?c1450
indurablec1450
scrithel?c1475
caduke1483
transitorious1492
passanta1500
perishinga1500
caducea1513
fugitive?1518
caducal?1548
quick1548
delible1549
flittering1549
undurable?1555
shadowish1561
fleeting1563
vading1566
flightful1571
wanzing1571
transitive1575
slipping1581
diary1583
unlasting1585
never-lasting1588
flit1590
post-like1594
running1598
short-lived1598
short-winded1598
transient1599
unpermanent1607
flashy1609
of a day1612
passable1613
dureless1614
urgenta1616
waxena1616
decayable1617
horary1620
evanid1626
fugitable1628
short-dated1632
fugacious1635
ephemerala1639
impermanent1653
fungous1655
volatile1655
ephemerousa1660
unimmortal1667
timesome1674
while-being1674
of passage1680
journal1685
ephemeron1714
admovent1727
evanescent1728
meteorous1750
deciduous1763
preterient1786
ephemeridal1795
meteorica1802
meteor1803
ephemerean1804
ephemerid1804
evanescing1805
fleeted1810
fleet1812
unenduring1814
unremaining1817
unimmortalized1839
impersistent1849
flighty1850
uneternal1862
caducous1863
diurnal1866
horarious1866
brisk1879
evasive1881
picaresque1959
1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 40 This time-lasting World, and every while-being thing in it.
while-ever conj. (also whilever) [see ever adv. 6; for the abbreviated spelling compare wherever adv. and conj.] rare as long as.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > [adverb] > for the whole time or duration
so long asa1387
right1568
howa1639
while-ever1777
1777 Ann. Reg. 1776 73/1 He solemnly declared, that while-ever he sate in that house, he would not endure such language.
1878 J. Thomson Plenipotent Key 19 She had had her husbands five, And would have more whilever she was alive.
while-you-wait adj. and adv. originally U.S. designating a service that is performed immediately (as opposed to one for which the customer must leave his property and collect it later); also figurative; also absol. as n., an establishment providing such a service; frequently (in advertisements) spelt while-u-wait.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [noun] > a while-you-wait establishment
while-you-wait1929
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adjective] > while-you-wait
while-you-wait1929
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb] > while-you-wait
while-you-wait1929
society > trade and finance > trading place > place where retail transactions made > [noun] > other retail establishments
parlour1863
self-serve1918
while-you-wait1929
self-service1944
society > trade and finance > trading place > place where retail transactions made > [adjective] > immediate (of services)
self-service1918
while-you-wait1929
society > trade and finance > trading place > place where retail transactions made > [adverb] > immediately (of services)
while-you-wait1929
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > clearness, lucidity > simplifying, popularization > [adjective] > generally intelligible
popular1573
exoterical1637
vulgar1643
exoteric1656
simplified1772
popularized1839
while-you-wait1929
pop1956
1929 Amer. Speech 5 24 Those who are selling ‘service’ are fond of using expressions of this sort:..Shine While U Wait, Hats Cleaned While U Wait, [etc.].
1936 H. L. Mencken Amer. Lang. (ed. 4) 209 Q-room.., While-U-wait, and Bar-B-Q.., all of them familiar signs.
1965 H. Gold Man who was not with It (new ed.) xxix. 271 We were at a low office block.., shoe repair and while-you-wait.
1972 Times 9 Aug. 12/7 (caption) A while-you-wait parts replacement service.
1972 Guardian 11 July 10/6 The..catalogue essay..is a masterpiece of myth-making, art history while-u-wait.
1977 Evening Gaz. (Middlesbrough) 11 Jan. 13/2 (advt.) M.O.T. test while-u-wait.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.c888
v.1606
adv.adj.conj.prep.OE- peripatid
- peripatidean
- peripatize
- peripatoid
- peripatos
- peripatus
- peripatuses
- peripediment
- peripenial
- periperi
- peripetalous
- peripeteia
- peripeteias
- peripeties
- peripety
- periphacitis
- peripharyngeal
- peripherad
- peripheral
- peripheral nerve
- peripheral nervous system
- peripheral neuritis
- peripheral neuropathy
- peripheral oedema
- peripheral resistance