now vs whilst

now

conj
  • Since, because, in light of the fact; often with that. 

adv
  • Used to indicate a context of urgency. 

  • Sometimes; occasionally. 

  • Used to address a switching side, or sharp change in attitude from before. (In this usage, now is usually emphasized). 

  • At the present time. 

  • Used to introduce a point, a qualification of what has previously been said, a remonstration or a rebuke. 

  • At the time reached within a narration. 

  • Differently from the immediate past; differently from a more remote past or a possible future; differently from all other times. 

noun
  • The state of not paying attention to the future or the past. 

  • The present time. 

  • A particular instant in time, as perceived at that instant. 

adj
  • Fashionable; popular; up to date; current. 

  • Present; current. 

intj
  • Indicates a signal to begin. 

whilst

conj
  • Although; in contrast; whereas. 

  • Only if; provided that; as long as. 

  • During the whole, or until the end, of the time that; as long as, at the same time. 

  • Besides; in addition. 

  • Within, or before the end, of the time that. 

adv
  • Often preceded by the: During the time; meanwhile. 

How often have the words now and whilst occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )