handwhile
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.