handwhile
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English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English handwhile, from Old English handhwīl (“an instant”), equivalent to hand + while. Cognate with Middle High German hantwile (“handwhile”).
Noun[edit]
handwhile (plural handwhiles)
- (obsolete) A little while; a moment, an instant.
- 1603, Michel de Montaigne, translated by John Florio, The Essayes […], London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:, II.17:
- Yea, mine owne sayings are every hand-while alleadged against my selfe, when God wot I perceive it not.