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Whist vs. While — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Whist and While

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Definitions

Whist

Whist is a classic English trick-taking card game which was widely played in the 18th and 19th centuries. Although the rules are simple, there is scope for strategic play.

While

While is a word in the English language that functions both as a noun and as a subordinating conjunction. Its meaning varies largely based on its intended function, position in the phrase and even the writer or speaker's regional dialect.

Whist

A card game ancestral to bridge, played with a full deck by two teams of two players, in which the last card dealt indicates trump, tricks of four cards are played, and a point is scored for each trick over six won by each team.

While

A period of time
Stay for a while.
Sang all the while. See Usage Note at awhile.

Whist

Any of several four-player card games, similar to bridge.
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While

The time, effort, or trouble taken in doing something
The project wasn't worth my while.

Whist

A session of playing this card game.

While

As long as; during the time that
It was lovely while it lasted.

Whist

Alternative spelling of whisht. Silence!, quiet!, hush!, shhh!, shush!

While

In spite of the fact that; although
While that guitar may look nice, it's not a very good instrument.
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Whist

To hush, shush, or whisht; to still.

While

And on the contrary
The soles are leather, while the uppers are canvas.

Whist

To become silent.

While

To spend (time) idly or pleasantly
While the hours away.

Whist

(rare) Silent, hushed.

While

An uncertain duration of time, a period of time.
He lectured for quite a long while.
It’s a long while since anyone lived there, so it’s a ruin now.

Whist

Be silent; be still; hush; silence.

While

(US) an uncertain long period of time

Whist

A certain game at cards; - so called because it requires silence and close attention. It is played by four persons (those who sit opposite each other being partners) with a complete pack of fifty-two cards. Each player has thirteen cards, and when these are played out, the hand is finished, and the cards are again shuffled and distributed.

While

(Philippines) an uncertain short moment

Whist

To hush or silence.

While

During the same time that.
He was sleeping while I was singing.
Driving while intoxicated is against the law.

Whist

To be or become silent or still; to be hushed or mute.

While

Although.
This case, while interesting, is a bit frustrating.
While I would love to help, I am very busy at the moment.

Whist

Not speaking; not making a noise; silent; mute; still; quiet.
The winds, with wonder whist,Smoothly the waters kissed.

While

Until.
I'll wait while you've finished painting.

Whist

A card game for four players who form two partnerships; a pack of 52 cards is dealt and each side scores one point for each trick it takes in excess of six

While

As long as.
While you're at school you may live at home.

While

Until.

While

To pass (time) idly.
I whiled away the hours whilst waiting for him to arrive

While

(transitive) To occupy or entertain (someone) in order to let time pass.

While

To elapse, to pass.

While

Alternative spelling or misspelling of wile.

While

Space of time, or continued duration, esp. when short; a time; as, one while we thought him innocent.
This mighty queen may no while endure.
[Some guest that] hath outside his welcome while,And tells the jest without the smile.
I will go forth and breathe the air a while.

While

That which requires time; labor; pains.
Satan . . . cast him how he might quite her while.
And so on us at whiles it falls, to claimPowers that we dread.

While

To cause to pass away pleasantly or without irksomeness or disgust; to spend or pass; - usually followed by away.
The lovely lady whiled the hours away.

While

To loiter.

While

During the time that; as long as; whilst; at the same time that; as, while I write, you sleep.
Use your memory; you will sensibly experience a gradual improvement, while you take care not to overload it.

While

Hence, under which circumstances; in which case; though; whereas.

While

Until; till.
I may be conveyed into your chamber;I'll lie under your bed while midnight.

While

A period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition;
He was here for a little while
I need to rest for a piece
A spell of good weather
A patch of bad weather

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