Etymograph

English

handwhile

Handwhile comes from Old English handhwīl ‘an instant’.

  1. Old Englishc. 450–1150handhwīl‘an instant’
  2. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500handwhile
  3. Englishtodaysame form

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Lineage

  1. Old Englishc. 450–1150handhwīl‘an instant’
  2. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500handwhile
  3. Englishtodaysame form

A compound of hand + while

Proto-Germanic *handuz

Proto-West Germanic *handu

Old English hand

Middle English hond

English hand

Proto-Indo-European *kʷyeh₁- ‘to rest’

…

Proto-Germanic *hwīlō ‘time’

Proto-West Germanic *hwīlu ‘period of rest’

Old English hwīl ‘while’

Middle English whyle

English while

Every English word from Old English handhwīl

Today it means

noun A little while; a moment, an instant.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Old English handhwīl / handwhile

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