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Wile away Time (not While)

.

It is the same word as “guile,” to “beguile the time” (fallʹere tempus).

“To wile each moment with a fresh delight.”


Lowell: Legend of Brittany, part i. stanza 6.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Wild Boar
Wild Boy of Hamelin
Wild Children
Wild-goose Chase
Wild Huntsman
Wild Oats
Wild Women [Wildë Frauën]
Wild Women
Wild as a March Hare
Wilde
Wile away Time (not While)
Wilfrid (St.)
Wilhelm Meister
Will not when They may
William
William L
Willie-Wastle (the child’s game)
Willow
Willow Garland
Willow Pattern
Willy-nilly