v.
- stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or occurrence.
▸be delayed or deferred.
▸informal defer (a meal) until a person's arrival.
▸
[usu. as noun waiting]
park a vehicle for a short time at the side of a road.
-
(wait on/upon)
act as an attendant to.
▸archaic pay a respectful visit to.
- act as a waiter or waitress.
n.
- a period of waiting.
-
(waits)
archaic street singers of Christmas carols.
▸historical official bands of musicians maintained by a city or town.
Phrase
- in wait
watching for an enemy or potential victim and preparing to attack them.
Etymology
ME: from Old North. Fr. waitier, of Gmc origin; rel. to wake1.