Main Entry:

¹while

Pronunciation:

\ˈhwī(-ə)l, ˈwī(-ə)l\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English hwīl; akin to Old High German hwīla time, Latin quies rest, quiet

Date:

before 12th century

1 : a period of time especially when short and marked by the occurrence of an action or a condition : time <stay here for a while> 2 : the time and effort used (as in the performance of an action) : trouble <worth your while>