1
- a period of time一会儿, 一段时间：
we chatted for a while
我们聊了一会儿
she retired a little while ago.
她刚退休不久。
1.1
a while
for some time片刻, 暂时：can I keep it a while?
我能暂时保留它吗？
2
the while
at the same time; meanwhile同时; 与此同时：he starts to draw, talking the while.
他开始画画, 边画边讲。
2.1
- poetic/literary during the time that〈诗/文〉在此期间：
beseeching him, the while his hand she wrung.
她恳求他, 并一直紧抓住他的手。
1
- during the time that; at the same time as当…的时候, 和…同时：
nothing much changed while he was away.
他不在的时候, 没有什么太大变化。
2
- whereas (indicating a contrast)而, 然而（表示对比）：
one person wants out, while the other wants the relationship to continue.
一人想就此了断, 而另一人想继续保持这种关系。
2.1
- in spite of the fact that; although虽然, 尽管：
while I wouldn't recommend a night-time visit, by day the area is full of interest.
虽然我不建议夜间游玩, 但是在白天, 这个地区很有玩头。
- during which在…的时候：
the period while the animal remains alive.
在动物还活着的时候。
with obj.(while time away)
- pass time in a leisurely manner消磨时光：
a diversion to while away the long afternoons.
消磨整个漫长下午的消遣活动。
- N. English until〈北英格兰〉直到：
father will be happy while dinner time.
一直到晚餐时间, 父亲都会很开心。
USAGE
短语
worth while （或 worth one's while）
- worth the time or effort spent值得某人花时间（精力等）。
词源
Old English hwīl 'period of time'， of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wijl, German Weile; the conjunction is an abbreviation of Old English thā. hwīle the 'the while that'.