onewhileadv.adj.

a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 975 So wente they downeward in the see, one whyle backwarde, another while forewarde.

1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccclx^v Thre sunnes,..one while of a pale colour, an other while as red as bloud.

1562 A. Brooke tr. M. Bandello Tragicall Hist. Romeus & Iuliet 57 His conscience one while condems it for a sinne.

1584 T. Hudson tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Hist. Judith vi. 90 Onewhile her feare refeld her first entent: onewhile her action Iust her courage lent.

1614 J. Sylvester Bethulia's Rescue v. 358 One-while the Syrians by the Medes are chas't; Anon the Medes by Syrians are rechas't.

1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron II. vi. xxxii. 122 One while waggishly smiling, another with a grave Mouth and ludicrous Eyes.

1861 ‘G. Eliot’ Silas Marner ix. 141 One while you seemed to be thinking o' marrying, and I didn't offer to put any obstacles in your way.

1992 A. Thorpe Ulverton ix. 208 Aye 'ee sees that bloody old sweet chestnut a-wrestlin wi' the ivy in lee agin that daddacky lump o' thatch as was old Aaron Flower's home one while past.

a1784 R. Munford Candidates (1798) i. ii. 19 He has hurt us more than he'll do us good for one while.

1836 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker (1837) 1st Ser. xvi. 136 You'll search one while..afore you'll find a man that..is equal to one of your free and enlightened citizens.

1880 L. Parr Adam & Eve x. 140 ‘I shan't forget Mr. Adam's opinion of me for one while’, said Eve, huffily.

1897 ‘M. Twain’ Following Equator liii. 511 If India knows about nothing else American, she knows about those, and will keep them in mind one while.

1904 P. L. Dunbar Li'l' Gal 23 Oh my, but yo 's a naughty chile, I has to look at you one while.

1882 Q. Rev. Jan. 209 Madame, the onewhile beloved of Gibbon.

1939 L. MacNeice O'Connell Bridge in Plant & Phantom (1991) 68 Our one-while loves Blown like bubbles.