adv. Obs. Also 3 umbe hwile, 4 vmbywhile (4 unbe-, 5 vnbi-). [OE. ymb(e) hwíle: see UMBE prep. and WHILE sb. Cf. UMWHILE.]
1. After a time.
971. Blickling Hom., 217. Þa wæs ymb hwile, ða ʓefelde 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.
