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while(1) (iou)



while adverb, conjunction, & preposition.
[Old English hwile (adverb) accus. of hwil WHILE noun; as conjunction, abbreviation of Old English Ta hwile Ta during the time that.]
A. adverb.
At times, sometimes; esp. (introducing parallel phrs. or clauses) now ... then; = WHILES adverb 2. OE-M17.
At one time, formerly; = WHILOM 2. OE-LME.
For a time, temporarily; at the same time, meanwhile. rare. L15-M17.
rel. Referring to a noun denoting a period of time: during which, when. M19.
Guardian The Bulgarians have stopped people coming over for the period while I am here.
b. conjunction.
During the time that; spec. (a) for as long as; (b) before the end of the time that. Also with ellipsis of pronominal subject and be. Formerly also foll. by that. ME.
Dickens The confidence of this house..is not to be abused..while I have eyes and ears. G. Vidal I listened..while he explained the state of the world. R. West He enjoyed drawing while he was being read to. Amateur Gardening This natural covering prevents the corms drying out while in store.
b. At the time that; when. ME-L15.
c. During which time; and meanwhile. LME.
M. Keane She..proceeded to soothe Jane while he proceeded to soothe Jessica.
Up to the time that; until. Formerly also foll. by at, that. Now north. ME.
Bunyan Run..while thou art weary, and then I will..carry thee.
So long as, provided that. arch. LME.
When on the contrary, whereas; granted that, although. L16.
D. Macdonald While his works are sometimes absurd, they are rarely dull. D. Meltzer While Mathilde was an active, thriving baby, Matthieu was a cause of..concern to the nurses.
In addition to the fact that; and at the same time. M19.
Times The walls..are decorated with..panelling, while the frieze and ceiling are in modelled plaster.
C. preposition. Up to (a time); until. Now north. LME.
W. G. Collingwood Father will be happy while dinner time.
Comb.: while as, whileas arch. = sense B.1 above; while-you-wait attrib. adjective (of a service) performed immediately.