While
/waɪl/noun
A period of time; also used to mean during the time that or although.
Did you know?“While” comes from an Old English word meaning a period of time, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root for turning or revolving, the same deep root behind words tied to cycles and wheels.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wel-
“to turn, roll, or revolve”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*hwīlō
“a space of time, a while”
Old English
OE
hwīl
“a time, interval, or period”
Middle English
ME
while
“a period of time; during which”
Modern English
English
while
“a period of time; during the time that; although”