Definition of: wait

(wāt) v.i.
1. To stay or remain in expectation, as of an anticipated action or event: with for, until, etc.
2. To be or remain in readiness.
3. To remain temporarily neglected or undone.
4. To perform duties of personal service or attendance; especially, to act as a waiter or waitress: She waits at table.
—v.t.
5. To stay or remain in expectation of: to wait one's turn.
6. Colloq. To put off or postpone; defer; delay: Don't wait breakfast for me.
7. Obs. To attend; escort.
8. Obs. To attend as a result or consequence. See synonyms under ABIDE, LINGER.
—to wait on (or upon)
1. To act as a servant or attendant to.
2. To go to see; call upon; visit.
3. To attend as a result or consequence.
—to wait up To delay going to bed in anticipation of the arrival of someone.
—noun
1. The act of waiting, or the time spent in waiting; delay.
2. An ambush or trap; snare: to lie in wait for a victim.
3. A member of a musical band organized to play and sing in the streets, at night or dawn: now applied only to those who sing carols in the streets at Christmastime.
4. Obs. A watchman or guard. [<AF waitier, OF guaitier <OHG wahtēn watch <wahta a guard]