I. ˈhwī(ə)lz also ˈwī- conjunction
Etymology: Middle English, from whil, while, conjunction, while + -es, gen. singular ending of nouns (functioning adverbially) — more at -s
1. archaic : while 1
2. obsolete : until
he shall conceal it whiles you are willing it shall come to note — Shakespeare
3. obsolete : while 3a
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from -whiles (as in otherwhiles ) — more at otherwhile
archaic : while 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d
III. adverb
Etymology: ME(Scots) quhilis at times, formerly, from ME(Scots) quhile, Middle English while at times, formerly (from Old English hwīle formerly, once) + ME(Scots) -is, Middle English -es, gen. singular ending of nouns (functioning adverbially)
chiefly Scotland : at times : from time to time : sometimes
we read your things in the paper, and we whiles read about you — John Buchan