American Dictionary of the English Language

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While


WHILE, noun [G. See the Verb.] Time; space of time, or continued duration. He was some while in this country. One while we thought him innocent.

Pausing a while thus to herself she musd.

Worth while worth the time which it requires; worth the time and pains; hence, worth the expense. It is not always worth while for a man to prosecute for small debts.

WHILE, adverb

1. During the time that while I write, you sleep.

2. As long as.

Use your memory, and you will sensibly experience a gradual improvement, while you take care not to overload it.

3. At the same time that.

WHILE, verb transitive [G., to abide, to stay.] To while away, as time, in English, is to loiter; or more generally, to cause time to pass away pleasantly, without irksomeness; as, we while away time in amusements or diversions.

Let us while away this life.

WHILE, verb intransitive To loiter.