† umbeˈwhile, adv. Obs.
Also 3 umbe hwile, 4 vmbywhile (4 unbe-, 5 vnbi-).
[OE. ymb(e) hw{iacu}le: see umbe prep. and while n. Cf. umwhile.]
1. After a time.
| 971 Blickling Hom. 217 Þa wæs ymb hwile, ða ᵹefelde he þæt se deada man his leomu ealle astyrede. a 1225 Leg. Kath. 12 Weox umbe hwile [Royal MS. umbe hwiles] wreððe ham bitweonen. |
2. At times; sometimes.
| c 1230 Hali Meid. 27 Nawt ane on ende; ah eauer umbehwile. a 1310 in Wright Lyric P. xv. 49 Sleuthe ant slep mi bedyner, that weneth me unbe-while. Umbe-while y am to whene, when y shal murthes meten. 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. vii. 396 (MS. Laud 656), [They] setyn til euesang range & songe vmbywhile. |