Lexic.us

Definition of While

1. Noun. A period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition. "A patch of bad weather"

Definition of While

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

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

3. v. i. To loiter.

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

5. prep. Until; till.

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

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

8. v. i. To loiter.

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

10. prep. Until; till.

Definition of While

1. Noun. A certain duration of time, a period of time. ¹

2. Conjunction. During the same time that. ¹

3. Conjunction. although ¹

4. Conjunction. (Northern England Scotland) until ¹

5. Verb. (transitive) To pass (time) idly. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of While

1. to cause to pass pleasantly [v WHILED, WHILING, WHILES]

Medical Definition of While

1. 1. Space of time, or continued duration, especially. When short; a time; as, one while we thought him innocent. "All this while." "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; labour; pains. "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. 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. Origin: AS. Hwil; akin to OS. Hwil, hwila, OFries. Hwile, D. Wigl, G. Weile, OHG. Wila, hwila, hwil, Icel. Hvila a bed, hvild rest, Sw. Hvila, Dan. Hvile, Goth. Hweila a time, and probably to L. Quietus quiet, and perhaps to Gr. The proper time of season. Cf. Quiet, Whilom. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of While

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