wait: Meaning and Definition of

wait

Pronunciation: (wāt), [key]
—v.t.
  1. to continue as one is in expectation of; await: to wait one's turn at a telephone booth.
  2. to postpone or delay in expectation: Don't wait supper for me.
  3. (of things) to be in readiness for; be reserved for; await: Glory waits thee.
  4. to attend upon or escort, esp. as a sign of respect.
  5. to wait on Her Majesty at the palace.
    1. to perform the duties of an attendant or servant for.
    2. to supply the wants of a person, as serving a meal or serving a customer in a store.
    3. to call upon or visit (a person, esp. a superior):to wait on Her Majesty at the palace.
    4. Falconry.(of a hawk) to soar over ground until prey appears.
    5. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.to wait for (a person); await.
    6. Also,wait upon.to await (an event).
  6. See(def. 21).
  7. Wait up, I can't walk so fast.
    1. to postpone going to bed to await someone's arrival.
    2. Informal.to halt and wait for another to join one, as in running or walking:Wait up, I can't walk so fast.
—n.
  1. an act or instance of waiting or awaiting; delay; halt: a wait at the border.
  2. a period or interval of waiting: There will be a long wait between trains.
    1. the time between two acts, scenes, or the like.
    2. Seestage wait.
    1. waits,(formerly) a band of musicians employed by a city or town to play music in parades, for official functions, etc.
    2. a street musician, esp. a singer.
    3. one of a band of carolers.
    4. a piece sung by carolers, esp. a Christmas carol.
  3. a watchman.
  4. to wait in ambush: The army lay in wait in the forest.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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