Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WHILE, v.t.¹ [W. çwylaw, to turn, to run a course, to bustle; Eth. ወዐለ waala, to pass the time, to spend the day or life, to remain; Amharic, id.; Dan. hviler, Sw. hvila, rest or repose; Ir. foillim, to stay, to rest, to tarry; G. weilen, verweilen, to abide, to stay; D. verwylen, id. Qu. the identity of these words.]

To while away, as time, in English, is to loiter; or more generally, to cause time to pass away pleasantly, without irksomeness; as, we while away time in amusements or diversions. Let us while away this life. – Pope.