wait

intransitive verb

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

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

transitive verb

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. Obsolete to attend upon or escort, esp. as a token of respect or honor
4. Obsolete to attend as a consequence

noun

1. the act or fact of waiting
2. a period of waiting a four-hour wait
3. in England,
   1. any of a group of singers and musicians who go through the streets at Christmastime performing songs and carols for small gifts of money
   2. any tune so performed
4. Obsolete a member of a band of musicians formerly employed by a city or town in England to play at entertainments
5. Obsolete a watchman