adv. Obs. [f. prec. with -s of advb. genitive, subseq. made -st: see WHILST.] = prec.
α. c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 1282. Ðor quiles he wunede in bersabe, So was ysaaces eld [etc.].
c. 1320. R. Brunne, Medit., 367. Y kepte hem þyrwhylys y was with hem.
1340. Ayenb., 194. Offre to god worþi offringe þerhuyls þet þou leuest.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. VI. 8. What sholde we wommen worche þere whiles?
c. 1491. Caxton, Chast. Goddes Chyld., 28. There whiles he may not be unied to god by cause he liueth in all contraryousnes.
a. 1557. Mrs. M. Basset, trans. More’s Treat. Passion, M.’s Wks. 1376/2. Which is priuely emplied in euery thing he doth therwiles.
β. a. 1541. Wyatt, Penit. Ps. xxxvii. 57. Therewhilst shall fail these wicked men therefore.
1587. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 976/1. The lord Greie … bad him repeat his message, and therwhilest made a clearke … to write the same Verbatim.
1603. Florio, Montaigne, I. xxx. (1632), 103. Their women busie themselves therewhil’st with warming of their drinke.
