wait

wait [wāt]

vi.

[ME waiten < NormFr waitier < Frank * wahten, to guard, akin to OHG wahta, a guard, watch: for IE base see WAKE¹]

1. to stay in a place or remain in readiness or in anticipation (until something expected happens or for someone to arrive or catch up)

2. to be ready or at hand [dinner was waiting for them]

3. to remain temporarily undone or neglected [let that job wait]

4. to serve food at a meal: with at or on [to wait at table, to wait on a person]

vt.

1. to be, remain, or delay in expectation or anticipation of; await [to wait orders, to wait one's turn]

2. Informal to delay serving (a meal) as in waiting for someone [to wait dinner]

3. Obs. to attend upon or escort, esp. as a token of respect or honor

4. Obs. to attend as a consequence

n.

1. the act or fact of waiting

2. a period of waiting [a four-hour wait]

3. in England,

a) any of a group of singers and musicians who go through the streets at Christmastime performing songs and carols for small gifts of money

b) any tune so performed

4. Obs. a member of a band of musicians formerly employed by a city or town in England to play at entertainments

5. Obs. a watchman

SYN.- STAY³

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lie in wait for or lie in wait

to wait so as to catch after planning an ambush or trap (for)

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wait on or wait upon

1. to act as a servant to

2. to call on or visit (esp. a superior) in order to pay one's respects, ask a favor, etc.

3. to result from; be a consequence of

4. to supply the needs or requirements of (a person at table, a customer in a store, etc.), as a waiter, clerk, etc.

5. [Informal or Dial.] to wait for; await

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wait out

to remain inactive during the course of

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wait table

to serve food as a waiter or servant to people at a table

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wait up

1. to put off going to bed until someone expected arrives or something expected happens

2. Informal to stop and wait for someone to catch up