Webster's English Dictionary

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while

1. while \'hwi-(*)l, 'wi-(*)l\ n [ME, fr. OE hwi-l; akin to OHG hwi-la 
   time, L quies res]t, quiet 1: a period of time esp. when short and marked 
   by the occurrence of an acti on or a condition : TIME {stay here for a ~} 
   2: the time and effort used (as in the performance of an action) : TRO UBLE 
   {worth your ~}
2. while cj 1a: during the time that {take a nap ~ I'm out}  1b: as long as 
   {~ there's life there's hope}  2a: at the same time that on the contrary 
   {easy for an expert, ~ i t is dangerous for a novice} : WHEREAS 2b: in 
   spite of the fact that : ALTHOUGH {~ respected, he  is not liked} 3: at the 
   same time that in a similar manner {~ the book will be w elcomed by 
   scholars, it will make an immediate appeal to the general reader -Brit. Bk. 
   News}
3. while pp archaic  : UNTIL 
4. while vt : to cause to pass esp. without boredom or in a pleasant manner 
   - usu.  used with away {~ away the time}e or leisure time without being 
   bored. WHILE or WILE (with away) implies filling time with something 
   pleasant or amusing but not useful; BEGUILE has less suggestion of wasting 
   time; FLEET implies causing time to pass quickly or imperceptibly SYN syn 
   WHILE, WILE, BEGUILE, FLEET mean to pass idl