While — Defs

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

1.
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.” — 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.

“And so on us at whiles it falls, to claim Powers that we dread.” — J. H. Newman.

02 v. t. To cause to pass away pleasantly or without irksomeness or disgust; to spend or pass; -- usually followed by away.

imp. & p. p. Whiled; p. pr. & vb. n. Whiling

1.
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.

03 v. i. To loiter.

04 conj. During the time that; as long as; whilst; at the same time that; as, while I write, you sleep.

1.
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.” — I. Watts.
2.
Hence, under which circumstances; in which case; though; whereas.

Phrases & compounds

While as — during or at the time that.

05 prep. Until; till.

1.
Until; till.[Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
“I may be conveyed into your chamber; I'll lie under your bed while midnight.” — Beau. & Fl.