From en.wiktionary.org:
** English
[2022]
*** Etymology
[en] From Late [en], [enm], [enm] [Northern England], [enm] [Northwest
Midlands][whylest, whylst, (Northwest Midlands) quilist, quylest, quylist],
from [enm][1] + [enm].[2] [enm] is derived from [enm] (probably from the
second element of [adverb]s and [conjunction]s like [enm] and [enm]), from
[enm][3] + [enm];[4] and [enm] is from [en], ultimately from [en], from [en].
The English word can be analysed as [en].[5]
[2]
- [fy]
[col-bottom]
*** Pronunciation
- [en]
- [en]
- [en]
- [en]
- [en]
*** Adverb
[-]
1. [en] _Often preceded by_ THE : During the time ; meanwhile .
2. * [act=IV]
3. * [edition=3rd]
4. * [volume=I]
**** Translations
[during the time that]
*** Conjunction
[en-con]
1. [en] [en] .
1. During the whole , or until the end , of the time that; as long as , at the same time .
2. * [act=IV]
3. * [act=I]
4. * [page=11]
5. * [volume=2]
6. * [volume=III]
7. * [1=en]
8. * [en]
9. Within, or before the end, of the time that.
10. * [volume=II]
11. Although ; in contrast ; whereas .
12. * [act=II]
13. * [sonnet=37]
14. * [volume=I]
15. * [chapter=Brussels]
16. Besides ; in addition .
17. * [en]
18. * [chapter=The Boy in the Corner]
19. Only if ; provided that; as long as; so long as.
**** Usage notes
- In American English, _whilst_ is generally considered to be pretentious, poetic, or archaic (although many exceptions exist) . _The Penguin Working Words_ (1993) [6] recommends [en] only, and notes that _whilst_ is old-fashioned. _The Cambridge Guide to English Usage_ (2004) [7] and _Webster’s Guide to English Usage_ (2004) [8] comment on its regional character, and note that it is rare in American usage. It is used and understood more generally in International English. On the other hand, _The American Heritage Guide to Contemporary Usage and Style_ (2005), [9] writes that, “while using _whilst_ runs the risk of sounding pretentious, it can sometimes add a literary or ironically formal note to a piece of writing”.
**** Alternative forms
- [en] [obsolete]
**** Translations
[_synonym of_ while] [although; in contrast; whereas]
*** References
References:
[1]. [entry=whīles]
[2]. [entry=-t]
[3]. [entry=whīle]
[4]. [entry=-(e)s]
[5]. [pos= _adv._ and _conj._ (and _prep._ )] ; [pos=conj. _and _ relative adv]
[6]. [author=Barrie Hughes] .
[7]. [author=Pam Peters] .
[8]. [title=Webster’s Guide to English Usage] .
[9]. [title=The American Heritage Guide to Contemporary Usage and Style]
*** Further reading
- [while]
- [R:Webster 1913]
- [R:Online Etymology Dictionary]