therewhile

adverb

variants or less commonly therewhilst

(ˈ)⸗¦⸗

obsolete

: in the meantime : whilst

Word History

Etymology

therewhile from Middle English ther whyle, probably from Old English thǣre hwīle in that time, from thǣre (dative singular feminine of sē, sēo, thæt that) + hwīle, dative singular of hwīl while, time; therewhilst alteration (influenced by whilst) of therewhile

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