Wait
[weɪt] or [wet]
Definition
(noun.) the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something); 'the wait was an ordeal for him'.
(verb.) serve as a waiter or waitress in a restaurant; 'I'm waiting on tables at Maxim's'.
(verb.) stay in one place and anticipate or expect something; 'I had to wait on line for an hour to get the tickets'.
(verb.) wait before acting; 'the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment'.
Typist: Martha--From WordNet
Definition
(v. i.) To watch; to observe; to take notice.
(v. i.) To stay or rest in expectation; to stop or remain stationary till the arrival of some person or event; to rest in patience; to stay; not to depart.
(v. t.) To stay for; to rest or remain stationary in expectation of; to await; as, to wait orders.
(v. t.) To attend as a consequence; to follow upon; to accompany; to await.
(v. t.) To attend on; to accompany; especially, to attend with ceremony or respect.
(v. t.) To cause to wait; to defer; to postpone; -- said of a meal; as, to wait dinner.
(v. i.) The act of waiting; a delay; a halt.
(v. i.) Ambush.
(v. i.) One who watches; a watchman.
(v. i.) Hautboys, or oboes, played by town musicians; not used in the singular.
(v. i.) Musicians who sing or play at night or in the early morning, especially at Christmas time; serenaders; musical watchmen.
Checker: Muriel
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. n. [1]. Stay, tarry, delay, remain, linger, bide one's time.[2]. Watch, look, be expectant.
v. a. Await, abide, stay for, wait for, look for.
Checked by Adrienne
Definition
v.i. to stay in expectation (with for): to remain: to attend (with on): to follow: to lie in ambush.—v.t. to stay for: to await: (coll.) to defer: (obs.) to accompany.—n. ambush now used only in such phrases as 'to lie in wait ' 'to lay wait:' the: act of waiting or expecting: delay: (pl.) itinerant musicians originally watchmen who welcome-in Christmas.—ns. Wait′er one who waits: an attending servant: a salver or tray: a custom-house officer: (obs.) a watchman; Wait′erage service; Wait′ering the employment of a waiter; Wait′ing act of waiting: attendance.—adv. Wait′ingly.—ns. Wait′ing-maid -wom′an a female attendant; Wait′ing-room a room for the convenience of persons waiting; Wait′ing-vass′al (Shak.) an attendant; Wait′ress a female waiter.—Wait attendance (Shak.) to remain in attendance; Wait upon on to call upon visit: to accompany to be in the service of: (B.) to look toward to attend to do the bidding of.—Lie in wait to be in hiding ready for attack or surprise.—Lords or Grooms in waiting certain officers in the Lord Chamberlain's department of the royal household; Minority waiter a waiter out of employment as a political minority is out of office.
Editor: Nettie
Examples
- How can you wait in this dress in the middle of the streets? Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- If for a generation or so machinery has had to wait its turn in the mine, it is simply because for a time men were cheaper than machinery. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- At the hotel I asked Catherine to wait in the carriage while I went in and spoke to the manager. Ernest Hemingway. A Farewell To Arms.
- But those who like Peter Featherstone never had a copy of themselves demanded, are the very last to wait for such a request either in prose or verse. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Wait till Bill tells you, then. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- But we shall take a shorter cut through the furze than you can go with long clothes; so we won't trouble you to wait. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- While breakfasting he considered whether he should ride to Middlemarch at once, or wait for Lydgate's arrival. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Truth to tell, the supper had been waiting a most unreasonable time. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- After waiting some time Mrs. Clements became alarmed, and ordered the cabman to drive back to her lodgings. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- I fear your ladyship rested badly last night, I remarked, after waiting a little. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- I'm waiting here because there will be sun here presently to warm me. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Emanuel stood there as if waiting. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- He kept me waiting so long, that I fervently hoped the Club would fine him for being late. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- They spoke low, as people watching and waiting mostly do; as people in a dark room, watching and waiting for Lightning, always do. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- I saw them stop near the church and speak to the sexton's wife, who had come from the cottage, and had waited, watching us from a distance. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Well, I kept my knowledge to myself, and waited to see what would come of it. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- I now take my farewell of your ladyship, and assure you that there's no danger of your ever being waited on by me again. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- He sat down beside her and waited; but suddenly he heard a step echoing far off down the empty rooms, and felt the pressure of the minutes. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- Mr. Gardiner had waited only for the letters before he set off. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- I told him if he waited for that, he would have to wait till doomsday. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- And he too waited in the magical steadfastness of suspense, for her to take this knowledge of him as he had taken it of her. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- But she keeps her own opinion of me, and waits to see the result. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Come, come, my love, remember who this is who waits to clasp you in his arms, poor child! Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- Goes on errands fast asleep, and snores as he waits at table. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Here is seen also further proof of the great truth that one invention often waits for another. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- I bring a new proposal on the subject:a thought of my father's, which waits only your approbation to be acted upon. Jane Austen. Emma.
- She waits until her husband is asleep, and then she rushes down to endeavor to persuade them to leave her in peace. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- The victor, said De Wyvil, still waits the pleasure of your highness. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
Checked by Alden