[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

while \while\, n. as. hwimacl; akin to os. hwimacl,
   hwimacla, ofries. hwimacle, d. wigl, g. weile, ohg.
   wimacla, hwimacla, hwimacl, icel. hvimacla a bed,
   hvimacld rest, sw. hvila, dan. hvile, goth. hweila a time,
   and probably to l. quietus quiet, and perhaps to gr. ? the
   proper time of season. root20. cf. quiet, whilom.
   1. space of time, or continued duration, esp. when short; a
      time; as, one while we thought him innocent. "all this
      while." --shak.
      1913 webster

            this mighty queen may no while endure. --chaucer.
      1913 webster

            some guest that hath outside his welcome while,
            and tells the jest without the smile. --coleridge.
      1913 webster

            i will go forth and breathe the air a while.
                                                  --longfellow.
      1913 webster

   2. that which requires time; labor; pains. obs.
      1913 webster

            satan . . . cast him how he might quite her while.
                                                  --chaucer.
      1913 webster

   at whiles, at times; at intervals.
      1913 webster

            and so on us at whiles it falls, to claim
            powers that we dread.                 --j. h.
                                                  newman.
      1913 webster

   the while, the whiles, in or during the time that;
      meantime; while. --tennyson.

   within a while, in a short time; soon.

   worth while, worth the time which it requires; worth the
      time and pains; hence, worth the expense; as, it is not
      always worth while for a man to prosecute for small debts.
      1913 webster
see also:
quiet whilom at whiles the while the whiles within a while 
worth while 

Within >> W Words
Within, definition of term: Within
within_pag1.html

While >> W Words
While, definition of term: While
while_pag1.html

Worth While >> W Words
Worth While, definition of term: Worth While
worth+while_pag1.html

Once In A While >> O Words
Once In A While, definition of term: Once In A While
once+in+a+while_pag1.html