Wait
WordNet
noun
(1) The act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
"The wait was an ordeal for him"
(2) Time during which some action is awaited
"Instant replay caused too long a delay"
"He ordered a hold in the action"
verb
(3) Look forward to the probable occurrence of
"We were expecting a visit from our relatives"
"She is looking to a promotion"
"He is waiting to be drafted"
(4) Serve as a waiter or waitress in a restaurant
"I'm waiting on tables at Maxim's"
(5) Stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
"I had to wait on line for an hour to get the tickets"
(6) Wait before acting
"The scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From Old Northern French , a variant of Old French (modern guetter ‘watch for’), from Germanic.
Verb
- to delay movement or action until the arrival or occurrence of; to await.
- You'll just have to wait your turn.
- To delay movement or action until some event or time; to remain neglected or in readiness.
- Wait here until your car arrives.
- To wait tables; to serve customers in a restaurant or other eating establishment.
- She used to wait down at the Dew Drop Inn.
Usage notes
- In sense 1, this is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. See Appendix:English catenative verbs
Noun
- A delay.
- I had a very long wait at the airport security check.