whiles definition

<computer programming> The loop construct found in nearly all imperative programming languages which executes one or more instructions (the "loop body") repeatedly so long as some condition evaluates to true. In contrast to a repeat loop, the loop body will not be executed at all if the condition is false on entry to the while.

For example, in C, a while loop is written

while (<expr>) <statement>;

where <expr> is any expression and <statement> is any statement, including a compound statement within braces "..".

(01 Mar 1995)

1. Space of time, or continued duration, especially. When short; a time; as, one while we thought him innocent. "All this while." "This mighty queen may no while endure." (Chaucer) "[Some guest that] hath outside his welcome while, And tells the jest without the smile." (Coleridge) "I will go forth and breathe the air a while." (Longfellow)

2. That which requires time; labour; pains. "Satan . . . Cast him how he might quite her while." (Chaucer) at whiles, at times; at intervals. "And so on us at whiles it falls, to claim Powers that we dread." (J. H. Newman) The while, The whiles, in or during the time that; meantime; while. 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.

Origin: AS. Hwil; akin to OS. Hwil, hwila, OFries. Hwile, D. Wigl, G. Weile, OHG. Wila, hwila, hwil, Icel. Hvila a bed, hvild rest, Sw. Hvila, Dan. Hvile, Goth. Hweila a time, and probably to L. Quietus quiet, and perhaps to Gr. The proper time of season. Cf. Quiet, Whilom.

(01 Mar 1998)