handwhile
nounEtymology From Middle English handwhile, from Old English handhwīl (“an instant”), equivalent to hand + while. Cognate with Middle High German hantwile (“handwhile”).
1
Obsolete A little while; a moment, an instant.
- Yea, mine owne sayings are every hand-while alleadged against my selfe, when God wot I perceive it not., II.17