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单词 wait
释义

waitn.

Brit. /weɪt/, U.S. /weɪt/
Forms: Middle English–1600s wayte, waite, (Middle English wayet, whayte), Middle English–1600s wayt, Middle English, 1600s weyte, (1500s weytte, wette), Middle English–1500s wate, (Middle English watte), 1500s waytte ( waitte, wayght, weyght, wyethe, whet), 1500s Scottish wat, 1600s waight, ( weight), Middle English– wait.
Etymology: Partly < Old Northern French *wait, wet (masculine) (= Old French guait , gait , guet , modern French guet , Provençal gach , gait ), verbal noun < waitier (see wait v.1) and Old Northern French waite (feminine) (Old French guaite , gaite , modern French guette , guète , Provençal gacha , gaita ); it is uncertain whether the feminine noun is < the verb, or a direct adoption < Germanic (compare Old High German wahta , Gothic wahtwō ): see wait v.1 The word adopted < French has coalesced with an English formation on wait v.1 Compare await n.Many apparent examples of this word in texts of 14–16th cent. really belong to the synonymous await n., which, like other words beginning with a prefix, was often written as two words. It is possible that the a was in the 16th cent. sometimes apprehended by writers and readers as the indefinite article, but distinct evidence of this is wanting.
I. The action of wait v.1
1. In various phrases with the general sense: To take up a concealed position in order to make an unforeseen attack, or to be in readiness to intercept one's enemy or intended prey in passing; to lurk in ambush.
†a. to sit in wait(s). Obsolete. rare. (cf. await n.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make attack [verb (intransitive)] > lie in wait
siteOE
wait?c1225
aspya1250
awaita1250
keepc1275
to sit in wait(s)a1300
lurkc1300
bush1330
to lie at (the) waitc1440
to lie on waitc1440
to lie wait1445
lay one's wait1535
hugger1567
to lie at (on, upon the) lurch1578
couch1582
ambuscade1592
to lie (also stand, stay, etc.) perdu1624
to lie at (or upon the) snap1631
ambush1638
to hole up1912
a1300 E.E. Psalter ix. 29 He sites in waites [L. in insidiis] with riche of land In derne, to sla þe vnderand.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 825 Why satst thou like an enemie in waite Here watching at the head of these that sleep? View more context for this quotation
b. to lie (also †lay) in wait. †Also, to lie at (the) wait, to lie on wait.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make attack [verb (intransitive)] > lie in wait
siteOE
wait?c1225
aspya1250
awaita1250
keepc1275
to sit in wait(s)a1300
lurkc1300
bush1330
to lie at (the) waitc1440
to lie on waitc1440
to lie wait1445
lay one's wait1535
hugger1567
to lie at (on, upon the) lurch1578
couch1582
ambuscade1592
to lie (also stand, stay, etc.) perdu1624
to lie at (or upon the) snap1631
ambush1638
to hole up1912
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. iv. 157 For moldywarpes cattes is to kepe To ligge in wayte to touche hem with her cle.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 113 As if perauenture in oon of thilk weies a man liggith in wait for to sle my seid seruaunt.
1503–4 Act 19 Hen. VII c. 36 Preamb. Stanhop..lay in wayte uppon the seid sir William and hym grevously wouneded.
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) iii. 311 The faythful saynge of the crede chaseth away fendes whiche lye on wayte to hynder men.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 605/2 I ley in wayte of one to do him a displeasure.
a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) I. 31 Or evir he cuild persawe the chancellaris folkis lyand in the wait for him he was invironit and circuatt round about with thame.
1611 Bible (King James) Psalms x. 9 He lieth in waite secretly as a lyon on his denne, he lieth in wait to catch the poore. View more context for this quotation
1668 H. Rolle Abridgm., Action sur Case 50 Si home dit dun auter, que il lay in wait at shooters hill to rob him, action sur le case gist.
a1672 A. Wood Life Sept. (1891) I. 123 Some of their partie were upon London road neare Thame to lay in wait for provision or wine that came from London towards Aylesbury.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 34. ⁋5 The five Fields where the Robbers lie in wait.
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho III. iii. 59 His friend advised, that they should lie in wait for the enemy.
1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) IV. 95/2 Full of rage, he lay in wait for Rosen, and as the latter left the Senate, he rushed upon his sword in hand.
1904 F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (ed. 2) II. 341 Lying in wait for dowagers' coaches in tortuous lanes.
figurative.a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 172 May no man lang in welthe indure, For wo that lyis euer at the wait.1553 T. Gresham in J. W. Burgon Life & Times Sir T. Gresham (1839) I. 118 To the intent to prevent the marchaunts, bothe strangers and Englishe, who allwayes lay in wayte to prevent my devisses.1615 T. Overbury et al. New & Choise Characters with Wife (6th impr.) sig. L3 His Religion lyes in wayte for the inclination of his Patron.1704 J. Swift Tale of Tub ii. 57 A Ring of Disciples, who lye in wait to catch up their Droppings.1785 W. Cowper Task iii. 553 Ten thousand dangers lie in wait to thwart The process.1785 T. Balguy Disc. Various Subj. 47 He is constantly lying at wait to correct them.1791 C. Smith Celestina III. 212 He..had indeed no other design than to lay in wait for traces of that involved mystery.1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. ii. i. 164 The habit..had given him a suspicious manner, or a manner that would be better described as one of lying in wait.
†c. to lie wait. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make attack [verb (intransitive)] > lie in wait
siteOE
wait?c1225
aspya1250
awaita1250
keepc1275
to sit in wait(s)a1300
lurkc1300
bush1330
to lie at (the) waitc1440
to lie on waitc1440
to lie wait1445
lay one's wait1535
hugger1567
to lie at (on, upon the) lurch1578
couch1582
ambuscade1592
to lie (also stand, stay, etc.) perdu1624
to lie at (or upon the) snap1631
ambush1638
to hole up1912
1445 tr. Claudian's De Consulatu Stilichonis in Anglia (1905) 28 269 Ambicion..which evir lyeth waite at chambir dorys.
a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) I. 55 Thair followit na thing bot slaughter.., ilk ane lyand wait for wther as they had ben settand tinchellis for the murther of wyld beistes.
d. to lay wait, †lay one's wait.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make attack [verb (intransitive)] > lie in wait
siteOE
wait?c1225
aspya1250
awaita1250
keepc1275
to sit in wait(s)a1300
lurkc1300
bush1330
to lie at (the) waitc1440
to lie on waitc1440
to lie wait1445
lay one's wait1535
hugger1567
to lie at (on, upon the) lurch1578
couch1582
ambuscade1592
to lie (also stand, stay, etc.) perdu1624
to lie at (or upon the) snap1631
ambush1638
to hole up1912
1577 M. Hanmer tr. Bp. Eusebius in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. x. viii. 206 But God being the friend..of Constantinus brought to light the wayte layde for him in secret.
1587 F. Thynne Ann. Scotl. 457/1 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II But hauing wait laid for him by an ambush of his enimies, he was in his iorneie towards his castell intercepted.
1597 T. Beard Theatre Gods Iudgements ii. xii. 286 Wherefore they laied wait for him as hee came one day from hunting, and murdered him.
1653 J. Mayer Expos. Ps. in Comm. O.T. III. 297 When wait was layd for him to kill him in his house.
1665 T. Manley tr. H. Grotius De Rebus Belgicis 169 Although they could escape all the wait laid for them by Pirates.
1841 G. P. R. James Brigand iii They were known to lay wait in all the principal passes, both of Piedmont and Savoy.
figurative and in extended use.1535 Bible (Coverdale) Acts xx. C I haue..serued ye Lorde..with many teares and tentacions, which happened vnto me by ye layenges of wayte of the Iewes.1599 T. Storer Life & Death Wolsey sig. G2v Those vnbaptised sacrilegious hands, That onely for Gods vestrie laide their waite.1611 Bible (King James) Jer. ix. 8 One speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his waite. View more context for this quotation1755 Monitor I. 27 Can a free constitution be out of danger, where one part of it lays wait to destroy the energy of another?1799 E. Dubois Piece Family Biogr. II. 42 By laying wait for a favourable moment, she might ultimately obtain the enjoyment of her criminal passion.1891 Sat. Rev. 14 Nov. 563/2 Their..followers laid perpetual wait to steal.
†e. to take under wait: to capture or surprise by an ambush. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)] > ambush
to take under wait1533
ambush1555
ambuscadoa1649
ambuscade1676
1533 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome (1901) I. 180 Þai war na less astonist þan þai had bene tane vnder wait [L. haud secus quam si in insidias incidissent].
†f. The noun used without the phrasal context: Ambush. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > [noun] > hostile lying in wait
awaitingc1380
awaita1387
gatea1400
awatch1519
wait1533
forelaying1600
waylaying1611
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > [noun] > hostile lying in wait > a lying in wait or ambush
waitingc1200
spyc1380
settingc1430
watch?a1475
wait1533
stale1557
ambush1573
imboscata1595
stand1616
belaying1677
1533 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome (1901) I. 149 Als sone as hermyneus herde the noyis of Valerius cumpany, he Ischit with his buschement haistely fra þe wate [L. concurrit ex insidiis].
1788 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 416 Check thy climbing step elate, Evils lurk in felon-wait.
1796 F. Burney Camilla IV. viii. x. 375 He was..always in wait to converse with her when she was seated.
†2. The action of watching. Obsolete.
a. In phrases. at (the) wait, on the watch. to do, make wait, to keep watch. to have in wait, to have under observation. Also, to lie in great wait, lay good wait (cf. 1), to be carefully on the watch.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > investigate, examine [verb (transitive)]
underseekc897
speerc900
lookeOE
askOE
seeOE
teem witnessc1200
seeka1300
fand13..
inquirec1300
undergoc1315
visit1338
pursuea1382
searcha1382
examinec1384
assay1387
ensearchc1400
vesteyea1425
to have in waitc1440
perpend1447
to bring witnessc1475
vey1512
investigate?1520
recounta1530
to call into (also in) question1534
finger1546
rip1549
sight1556
vestigatea1561
to look into ——1561
require1563
descry?1567
sound1579
question1590
resolve1593
surview1601
undersearch1609
sift1611
disquire1621
indagate1623
inspect1623
pierce1640
shrive1647
in-looka1649
probe1649
incern1656
quaeritate1657
inquisite1674
reconnoitre1740
explore1774
to bring to book1786
look-see1867
scrutate1882
to shake down1915
sleuth1939
screen1942
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > be vigilant or on one's guard [verb (intransitive)]
watcha1225
warea1325
bewarea1400
keepc1400
waitc1400
lay good waitc1440
to lie in great waitc1440
to look out?1553
to look about1599
awake1602
advigilate1623
to keep an eye open1651
perdue1656
to look sharp1680
waken1682
tout1699
to keep a sharp look-out1827
to keep one's weather-eye open1829
to keep (also have) an eye out1833
to keep one's eyes peeled1844
to watch out1845
to skin one's eyes1851
to have (also keep) one's eye on the ball1937
to watch one's back1949
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > keep watch [verb (intransitive)]
wait1338
to do, make waitc1440
to lay watch?a1475
invigilate1553
advigilate1623
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > [phrase]
at (the) waitc1440
c1440 Partenope (B.M. MS.) 6745 His ffrendes had hym so in watte..That his purpose myght not be Atte Bleys parfouremed.
c1460 in Archaeologia 29 339 Þe Fisshe drewe nere vnto þe bayte; Nede haþe no lawe,..þe Egle þerto euer layde goode wayte.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) xi. l. 379 A suttell knycht tharat had gret despyt, Folowyt at wait.
1509 J. Fisher Mornynge Remembraunce Countesse of Rychemonde (de Worde) sig. Aiv Her sobre temperaunce..wherin she lay in as grete wayte of herself as ony persone myght.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 229 And in thir termis can thai say: ‘Do wait and lat him nocht away’.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid xi. xiv. 83 Quhen as ane Aruns, by hys mortal fait Onto myschewos deid predestinate, Circulis at the wayt.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. ccxli. 144/2 The moost parte of the state of the prince..was well knowen with the kynges there about..for they layed great wayte to knowe it.
c1528 Everyman (1961) 334 I haue a grete enemy that hath me in wayte Whiche entendeth me for to hynder.
1535 King Henry VIII in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) I. App. liv. 141 That they..do make & cause to be made diligent search, wait & espyal, whether the said Bps. & Clergy do..execute..their said charge.
b. Watchfulness.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > [noun]
wareness971
i-warnessa1250
awaitc1374
watch14..
circumspecta1513
vigilancy1537
vigilance1570
advigilancy1577
wait?1578
vigilantnessa1599
lookout1599
watchfulness1611
alert1801
wakefulness1830
outlook1879
monitoring1924
?1578 W. Patten Let. Entertainm. Killingwoorth 23 It waz a sport very pleazaunt..to see..the nimblness & wayt of ye dog too take hiz auauntage.
3.
a. (day's) wait: the duty of keeping guard by day performed by the warders of the Tower.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > as a watchman or sentinel > by the warders of the Tower
(day's) wait1694
1694 E. Chamberlayne Angliæ Notitia (ed. 18) iii. 608 The Yeoman Warders of the Tower are 40 in number... Ten of them are usually upon the Days-wait.
1738–47 in Pegge Curialia iii. (1791) 103 When the Man waiting for another hath performed such Wait, he shall not be permitted to wait again, so as to continue his Wait for divers Men one after another.
b. The period of attendance at court of a lord- or lady-in-waiting.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > attendant or personal servant > [noun] > lord-in-waiting > period of attendance of
waiting?1697
wait1884
1884 World 20 Aug. 10/1 The Queen always likes the yearly rota of waits to be arranged so that her favourite ladies shall be with her at Balmoral.
1893 Westm. Gaz. 7 July 1/2 He will have no duties..as his appointed ‘wait’ is from October 3 to 17, when the Queen will be at Balmoral, where the attendance of a Lord-in-Waiting is always dispensed with.
4. The state or condition of waiting or remaining expectant. at wait: in an expectant attitude. in wait: waiting, remaining in a place in expectation of some one coming. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > [adjective]
expectanta1425
prevenient1765
anticipative1797
anticipant1798
contemplative1816
tense1821
prospective1850
at wait1873
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > [adjective]
expecting1605
expectative1611
waiting1654
in wait1873
1873 H. W. Longfellow Mother's Ghost in Aftermath i. 104 When she came to the castle gate, There stood her eldest daughter in wait.
1875 A. C. Swinburne Ess. & Stud. 344 Next to this we find a sudden sunny bank in the dim depth of a wood, with a wolf at watch and a rabbit at wait.
5. A period of waiting; spec. Theatre, the time of an audience's waiting between the acts, or of an actor's waiting between his appearances in the piece.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > [noun] > time spent waiting
sitting out1838
wait1855
waiting time1962
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > [noun] > a performance > part of performance > period of waiting
wait1855
1855–6 C. Dickens in J. Forster Life Dickens (1874) III. v. 107 The waits between the acts being very much longer than the acts themselves.
1863 J. S. Le Fanu House by Church-yard III. ix. 93 This was said after a wait of nearly ten minutes.
1876 Daily News 27 Oct. 5/6 What a long, tedious wait it was up there on the edge of the wood while we listened..for some sign of Graf Keller's approach.
1884 Manch. Examiner 16 Oct. 5/4 The audience..passed a long wait pleasantly in singing a number of political songs.
1886 C. E. Pascoe London of To-day (ed. 3) iii. 50 The Criterion has a chorus of glee singers to wile away waits through the courses.
II. A person who watches or waits.
†6. A watchman; a scout, spy. Obsolete.
a. A military watchman, sentinel, or look-out; also a scout, spy; esp. a watchman in a camp, castle, or fortified place who was furnished with a horn or trumpet to sound an alarm or to make a signal.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > soldier with special duty > [noun] > guide, scout, etc.
waitc1325
runnera1382
scourera1400
exploratorc1429
discovererc1440
waiter?1473
out-spy1488
scurrier1488
aforeridera1525
fore-rider1548
guide?1548
outscourer1548
scout1555
vanquerer1579
outscout1581
outskirrer1625
scouter1642
scoutinger1642
wood-ranger1734
reconnoiterer1752
feeler1834
society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > soldier with special duty > [noun] > signaller or musician
waitc1325
trumpeter1497
drum?1535
drum major1589
trumpettier1609
drum-major general1676
bugler1792
fife-major1802
pipe major1816
Bugle Major1844
signaller1845
bugle boy1848
trumpet-major1855
bugleman1859
bunting-tosser1905
buzzer1915
music1915
society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > soldier with special duty > [noun] > guard > sentry
waitc1325
watchc1380
sentinel1579
century1585
rounder1596
sentry1632
vedette1690
c1325 Coer de L. 2281 The wayts of that host that did espie, And ful loud began to crie: We are betrayd and y-nome!
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 121 Þet is þe wayte of þe castele þet neure ne slepþ.
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 395 Þe holy prophete Ezechiel saiþ: ‘If þe wayte or þe wacche-man se ennemys cum [etc.].’
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 191 A knyghte þat highte Strabo stode in a weytes place.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) v. v. 108 And for the eye is in stede of a wayte, kynde settyth hym in the hyghest place of the body.
a1400 K. Alis. 4312 Theo knyghtis heore body dubbeth; The waytes bleow, the belle rynges.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11541 He [sc. Herod] sett his waites bi þe stret, If þai moght wit þaa kinges mett, He commandid son þai suld be slan.
c1400 Laud Troy Bk. 7222 Euery man to his In owe, The wayte be-gan nyght to blowe.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 513/2 Wayte, speculator (v.r. explorator).
1450–80 tr. Secreta Secret. lxi. 37 Loke thou haue good waytes and aspies in thyn oste.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur vii. xxxi. 263 At the last by fortune he came to a Castel and there he herd the waytes vpon the wallys.
a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 1065 Waytes on the wall gan blowe, Knyghtis assemled on a Rowe.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid iii. iv. 60 Mysenus, the wait, on the hie garret seyis, And, with his trumpet, thame a takin maid.
in extended use.a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. clxxx. 1073 A vyneȝerde is..ofte yvisyted and ouerseen of erþe tylieres and vynoures... And is closed aboute wiþ walles and wiþ hegges, and a wayte is þere ysette in an hih place.
b. A watchman attached to the royal household who sounded the watch, etc., by the blowing of a pipe, trumpet, or other wind-instrument.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > one who watches or keeps guard > watchman attached to royal household
wait13..
13.. K. Alis. 7769 When theo table was y-drawe, Theo wayte gan a pipe blawe.
c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) iv. xlvii. 198 The ladi that thou hast herd pleye with instrumentes and bereth an horn that is the waite that awaketh the king alle times that he slepeth bi hire blowinge.
a1440 Sir Eglam. 1097 Grete lordys were at the assent; Waytys blewe, to mete they wente.
a1483 Liber Niger in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (1790) 48 A Wayte, that nyghtly, from Mighelmasse till Shere-Thursday, pipeth the watche within this courte fower tymes,..and he to make bon gayte, and [? read at] everey chambre door and office, as well for fyre as for other pikers or perelles... And under this yoman, a groome wayte.
1802 A. Radcliffe Gaston de Blondeville (1826) I. 185 And thus it kept, until the wayte piped his second watch in all the courts.
c. A municipal watchman.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > law enforcement > law-enforcement or peace-officer > [noun] > municipal watchman
wait1418
watchmanc1440
watch1539
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > one who watches or keeps guard > municipal watchman
wait1418
watchmanc1440
rattle manc1596
rug gowna1625
ruga1627
billman1630
Charley1819
1418 Maldon (Essex) Court Rolls (Bundle 11, No. 3) [Ordered, by consent] ballivorum et magnatum ville, in defectu ministrorum alias dictorum waytes, quod quedam campana ecclesie Omnium Sanctorum et alia campana ecclesie Sancti Petri congruis horis noctis pulsentur, viz., in mane Daybell, et in vespere Curfewe.
1419 Liber Albus (Rolls) 646 Quod quælibet Porta custodiatur per diem per duos homines bene armatos, et de nocte claudetur per Servientem eam inhabitantem; et quod quilibet Serviens habeat unum Wayte, sumptibus suis propriis.
†7. collective. A body of guards. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > one who watches or keeps guard > body of
wardc1000
watchc1380
guarda1513
scout-watch1523
satellitium1616
vigilance1667
wait1704
picket1847
honour guard1851
1704 in Pegge Curialia iii. (1791) 81 Which Twelve Men [of the Guard] are to be chosen by the Six Waits then out of Waiting.
1747 in Pegge Curialia iii. (1791) 104 Upon Forfeiture of his or their share of such Bounty-Money among the rest of the Wait then and there in waiting.
8.
†a. plural. A small body of wind instrumentalists maintained by a city or town at the public charge. Also singular, a member of this body. Obsolete.They played for the daily diversion of the councillors, on ceremonial and festive occasions, and as a town or city band they entertained the citizens, perambulating the streets, often by night or in the early morning.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musician > instrumentalist > company of instrumentalists > [noun] > band > type of
waits1298
consort1587
wait player1610
wind music1650
the fiddles1676
military band1775
German band1819
street band1826
brass band1834
promenade band1836
horn-band1849
pipe band1867
wind-band1876
Hungarian band1882
jazz band1916
jazz orchestra1916
big band1919
road band1922
Schrammel quartet1924
showband1926
spasm band1926
dance-band1927
marching band1930
name band1932
ork1933
silver band1933
sweet band1935
Schrammel orchestra1938
pop band1942
jug band1946
steel band1949
rehearsal band1957
skiffle band1957
ghost band1962
support band1969
support group1969
scratch band1982
1298 [see waitmeat n. at Compounds 2].
1438 in Cov. Leet Bk. 189 Hyt is ordeyned that they [sic] Trumpet schall haue the rule off the whaytes, and off hem be Cheffe.
1467 in Cov. Leet Bk. 335 Also þat þe Waytis of þis Cite..shall not passe þis Cite, but to abbottis & priours within x miles of þis Cite.
1499 in W. Kelly Notices illustr. Drama (1865) 189 Thomas Wylkyns Wayte.
1541 in W. Kelly Notices illustr. Drama (1865) 192 Item paed to Thomas Goldsmyth ffor mendyng of the Towne Waytes Collars iijs. iiijd.
1548 in W. Kelly Notices illustr. Drama (1865) 193 Item pd to Mr. Gyllott for the Wayghts gownes xxxvjs vjd.
1553 H. Machyn Diary (1848) 47 [The new Lord Mayor went] toward Westmynter [attended by the] craftes of London..with trumpets blohyng and the whets playing.
1571 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 118 Lewis Lockwood, Bag~piper was admitted Wayte of this town.
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1289/2 The waits of the citie were placed with lowd musicke, who cheerefullie & melodiouslie welcomed hir maiestie into the citie, this song being soong by the best voices in the same.
?1589 T. Nashe Almond for Parrat 2 Who hearing the waites play vnder his window very early, insulted..that [etc.].
a1596 Sir Thomas More (1911) 944 Where are the waytes? goe, bid them play, to spend the time awhile.
1616 B. Jonson Epicœne i. i, in Wks. I. 533 Trv. A Trumpet should fright him terribly, or the Hau' boyes. Cle. Out of his senses. The Waights of the citie haue a pension of him not to come nere that ward. View more context for this quotation
a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Captaine ii. ii, in Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Gg4/1 Jac. Hark, are the waights abroad? Fabr. Be softer prethee, 'Tis private musicke... Jac. Well I heare, or sleepe, I care not whether.
a1630 F. Moryson in Shakespeare's Europe (1903) iv. i. 301 In like sorte many Cittyes mantayne at publike charge Musitians, vsing Sagbutts, Hoboyes, and such loude Instruments, which wee call the waytes of Cyttyes, and these play at the publicke house of the Citty each day at Noone, when the Senatours goe to dinner, and at all publike Feasts.
1667 London Gaz. No. 189/1 The Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council of this Town, after a Sermon Preached to them, went to the Market-Cross in their Formalities, the Waytes playing before them.
1670 R. Graham Angliæ Speculum Morale 132 The Weights of the Town who played upon Cornets and Haut-bois.
1687 A. Wood Life & Times (1894) III. 230 When he came to Quartervois he was entertaind with the wind musick or waits belonging to the city and Universitie.
1731 H. Fielding Letter-writers ii. ii. 23 You are a couple of wretched Scrapers, and play ten Degrees worse than the University Waits.
1736 F. Drake Eboracum i. vi. 197 [The sheriffs] are preceeded by the city's waites, or musicians, in their scarlet liveries and silver badges playing all the way through the streets.
1762 O. Goldsmith Life R. Nash 41 Upon a stranger's arrival at Bath he is welcomed by..the voice and music of the city waits.
1764 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1886) II. 202 Ordered that John Bolton and John Langhorn be appointed two publick Waites of this town.
b. plural. A band of musicians and singers who perambulate the streets by night at the approach of Christmas and the New Year playing and singing carols and other seasonable music for gratuities.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musician > [noun] > street musician > specific groups of
waits1773
wren-boys?a1800
1773 Archaeologia 2 66 What we at present call the Waits, or the music on the nights of the Christmas holydays.
1786 T. Busby Compl. Dict. Music Wayghtes, or Waits, those persons who annually, at the approach of Christmas, salute us with their nocturnal concerts, were, and are to this day, called Wayghtes.
1819 W. Irving Sketch Bk. v. 349 The sound of the Waits,..breaks upon the midwatches of a winter night.
1889 Grove's Dict. Music IV. 375 Waits, The. A name given, from time immemorial, to the little bands of rustic Musicians who sing and play Carols, by night, in country places, at Christmas-time.
†c. gen. A player on the flute, hautboy, trumpet, etc. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musician > instrumentalist > wind player > [noun]
blowerc897
bretheman?a1400
wait1510
town wait1541
winder1611
tooter1620
wind-instrumentalist1869
windjammer1880
horn1945
1510 J. Stanbridge Vocabula (W. de W.) D iv Tibicen, a wayte.
1585 J. Higgins tr. Junius Nomenclator 501/1 Spondiales vel spondiauli,..such as plaied vpon long pipes at diuine seruice, they may be called the waytes.
1600 P. Holland tr. Florus Breviaries xvii, in tr. Livy Rom. Hist. 390 That..as he returned home to his owne house, the waits should sound the hautboies all the way [L. tibicine canente].
1648 T. Gage Eng.-Amer. 12 Whom travelling, Indian Waites and Trumpets should accompany.
†9. One who waits in service, an attendant. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > attendant or personal servant > [noun]
thanea700
yeoman1345
squirec1380
foot followera1382
handservanta1382
servitora1382
ministera1384
servera1425
squire of (or for) the body (or household)1450
attender1461
waitera1483
awaiter1495
tender?a1505
waiting-man1518
satellite?1520
attendant1555
sitter-byc1555
pediseque1606
asseclist?1607
tendant1614
assecle1616
fewterera1625
escudero1631
peon1638
wait1652
under spur-leather1685
body servant1689
slavey1819
tindal1859
maid-attendant1896
1652 E. Benlowes Theophila xi. xxx. 197 Still to have toting Waits unseel thine Eyes, In Bed, at Board, when sit, when rise: Such, Card'nal-like, their Paris prize 'bove Paradise.
†III. Senses relating to wind instruments.
10. [Originally a transferred use of sense 8c.] In plural. Wind instruments, either hautboys, shawms, or flutes. Also singular (rare). Obsolete. [Compare Spanish gaita, Portuguese gaita, a kind of oboe; the word seems to have been adopted < Old French, though no examples of the sense have been found in French of any period.]
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > wind instrument > [noun] > collectively
waits1530
wind music1650
wind1876
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 286/1 Wayte an instrument, hauboys.
1553 J. Withals Shorte Dict. f. 68v/2 The trumpet or waites, tuba.
1592 P. F. tr. Hist. Dr. Faustus 8 Lutes, Viols, Citerns Waights..and all maner of other Instruments.
1620 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes 2nd Pt. Don Quixote xxvi. 173 For amongst Moores you haue..a kinde of Shaulmes that bee like our Waytes.
1636 C. Butler Princ. Musik ii. i. 93 [Wind-instruments, as] Waits or Hobois.
1683 T. Tryon Way to Health 654 Waits are under the dominion of Jupiter, in the Sign Libra; the Sounds and harmonious Consorts of this Instrument are great, noble and pleasing to Nature.
1703 Motteux , like our Waits or Hautboys. ]

Compounds

C1. General attributive.
wait-pipe n.
ΚΠ
14.. in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 694/40 Hec colomaula,..waytepype.
wait player n.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musician > instrumentalist > company of instrumentalists > [noun] > band > type of
waits1298
consort1587
wait player1610
wind music1650
the fiddles1676
military band1775
German band1819
street band1826
brass band1834
promenade band1836
horn-band1849
pipe band1867
wind-band1876
Hungarian band1882
jazz band1916
jazz orchestra1916
big band1919
road band1922
Schrammel quartet1924
showband1926
spasm band1926
dance-band1927
marching band1930
name band1932
ork1933
silver band1933
sweet band1935
Schrammel orchestra1938
pop band1942
jug band1946
steel band1949
rehearsal band1957
skiffle band1957
ghost band1962
support band1969
support group1969
scratch band1982
1610 in T. Sharp Cov. Myst. (1825) 210 Every Maior shall pay to the waite players iiij d.
wait-song n.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > vocal music > religious or devotional > [noun] > religious song > Christmas carol
carol1502
Christmas carol1521
yule-songa1661
noel1786
Nowell1833
wait-song1872
1872 J. G. Whittier Pennsylvania Pilgrim & Other Poems 501 On frosty Christmas eves..he..closed his eyes, and listened to the sweet Old wait-songs sounding down his native street.
C2.
† wait captain n. Obsolete the chief of the municipal waits.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > law enforcement > law-enforcement or peace-officer > [noun] > municipal watchman > chief
wait captain1565
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > one who watches or keeps guard > municipal watchman > chief of
wait captain1565
1565 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1888) II. 35 Mr. Mayor called James Atherby then being Waite Captain.
† wait fee n. Obsolete (see quot. 1706).
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for labour or service > fee for services rendered > [noun] > payments for other specific services
barber feec1380
alnage1418
school fee1512
pinlocka1525
warden-fee1531
wait fee1563
fullage1611
pipe-moneya1637
marriage money1674
sharping-corn1681
spy-money1713
crimpage1732
cooperage1755
stirrup money1757
stub-money1776
membership fee1860
1563 in Spelman Gloss. (at cited word) Per redditum 14s. pro Wayte fee, and Castle garde.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Wayt-fee, (old Law-word) Ward-penny, or a Fee anciently paid for keeping Watch and Ward.
† wait-layer n. Obsolete one who lies in wait.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > [noun] > hostile lying in wait > one who
awaiterc1374
waiterc1430
waylayer1565
lier1583
wait-layer1600
ambusher1606
ambuscader1677
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xl. xii. 1067 He..will..have the world beleeve that I play the part not onely of a secret and cunning wait-laier, but of an open theefe.
1632 P. Holland tr. Xenophon Cyrupædia 30 Who ever shall effect this, had need be a waitlayer, a deepe dissembler.
† waitmeat n. Obsolete food supplied to the municipal waits.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > supply of food or provisions > [noun] > supplied to waits
waitmeat1298
1298 Yorks. Inquisit. (Yorks. Rec. Soc. 1902) III. 84 2s. for Waytemete and Schirrefstuthe.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

waitv.1

Brit. /weɪt/, U.S. /weɪt/
Forms: Past tense and participle waited. Forms: Middle English–1600s waite, Middle English–1700s wayte, Middle English–1600s wayt, (Middle English whaite, whayte), Middle English, 1500s Scottish waitte, Middle English–1500s Scottish vaitte, Middle English waytte, 1500s–1600s waight, Middle English–1500s Scottish watte, 1700s dialect watt, Middle English weite, Middle English–1500s weyte, 1500s weat, 1600s weight, Middle English–1500s, 1700s dialect wate, Middle English vate, Middle English– wait.
Etymology: Early Middle English waite-n , < Old North French waitier (Central Old French guaitier , gaiter , modern French guetter ) = Provençal gaitar , Italian guatare , to watch, lie in wait for; < Old High German wahtên (modern German wachten ) to watch, guard, < wahta (feminine) (modern German wacht ) watch, < Germanic *wak- : see wake v.It is uncertain whether the following forms, apparently in the senses ‘to befall’ and ‘to plot, contrive, be alert for an opportunity (to)’, show variants of the present word (see Q n. for discussion of such spellings in Middle English alliterative verse):c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 1109 Quen ne in quat time sal qwaite þe [a1500 Trin. Dub. falle] þis aunter, Enquire me noȝt þar question.c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 13245 The qwene with hir qwaintis qwaitid me to cacche.
The simple verb.
†1.
a. transitive. To watch with hostile intent; to spy upon; to lie in wait for. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > lie in wait for
keepc1000
waitc1200
aspya1250
awaita1250
wait onc1390
to wait on ——1390
forestall1413
belay1470
to lay fora1513
waylay1513
forelay1548
ambush1555
counterwait1562
to lie for1611
set1670
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > secret observation, spying > spy on [verb (transitive)]
waitc1200
spya1325
espyc1420
prog1566
tout1699
bespy1837
keyhole1871
to keep tabs (or a tab) on1889
tec1900
c1200 Vices & Virtues 103 Ðat bið ðo werewede gostes ðe waitið ðo soules hier buuen on ðe wolkne.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 43 For ure gult god man bicom and ure eldre waiteden him to deaðe.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 87 Þanne ferde þe fule gost, and seuene oðre gostes mid him forcuðere þen him self were, and bitrumede þat child, and waiteden hit on eche wise.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 23731 Euer he wates vs þat fede, es nathing certainur þan dede.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 512 He may [me] waiten for to slo.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 1186 His despisers he waytes ay, Als shadow to tak to his pray.
a1450 Le Morte Arth. 74 Sir agravayne at home is he, nyght & day he waytes vs two.
c1480 (a1400) St. Paul 22 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 29 In Ierusalem he wes bofte, spyit, waitit, and bundyn ofte.
a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Nero) v. l. 3062 Ane erl of his companny Waytit Traen sa besely Þat wiþe a buschement he has [slayn] Traen.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 770/2 I wayte, I lye awayte for one to hurte hym, or to spye what he dothe. Je guette. I wyll wayte him here tyll to morowe but I wyll have him.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 22 He thairfor appoynted certan cutthrots to wayt thame as fra the Banquet thay return.
a1614 J. Melville Autobiogr. & Diary (1842) 421 They steir upe and incitats four deboshit young limmers, and wattes..James Smithe, as he was coming ham at night from the cost syde.
†b. intransitive. To keep hostile watch; to lie in wait. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make attack [verb (intransitive)] > lie in wait
siteOE
wait?c1225
aspya1250
awaita1250
keepc1275
to sit in wait(s)a1300
lurkc1300
bush1330
to lie at (the) waitc1440
to lie on waitc1440
to lie wait1445
lay one's wait1535
hugger1567
to lie at (on, upon the) lurch1578
couch1582
ambuscade1592
to lie (also stand, stay, etc.) perdu1624
to lie at (or upon the) snap1631
ambush1638
to hole up1912
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 146 Inþe wildene weiteden [a1250 Nero iðe wildernesse heo aspieden] us toslenne.
a1300 E.E. Psalter ix. 30 He waites [L. insidiatur] in hidel als lioun in den.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 899 Þou sal waite womman for to sting, And sco sal yiet þi hede þring.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. vii. 149 To kepen him..From wastors þat wayten winners to schende.
?1404–8 Wyt & Wille 30 in 26 Pol. Poems 23 Echon wayte oþer for to kille.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Obad. i. 14 Nether shalt thou stonde waytinge enymore at ye corners of the stretes, to murthur soch as are fled.
1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 54 Lay pease vpon stack,..And couer it straight, from doues that waight.
†2. transitive. To be on the watch to inflict (injury): = await v. 2. Obsolete.The sense is apparently due to the confusion of this vb. with wait v.2
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > cause or effect (harm) [verb (transitive)] > be on the watch to
waitc1540
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 13012 Noght warre of the weghes, þat waited his harme, [He] past furth thurgh the pase with his proude knightes.
†3.
a. To watch, keep one's eye upon, observe constantly; to look out for, watch for. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > watch or observe
keepc1000
overseeOE
waitc1300
advisec1325
awaita1375
to wait on ——c1384
markc1400
contemplec1429
to keep (also have) an (or one's) eye on (also upon)a1450
to look straitly to?c1450
to wait after ——c1460
vizy1488
contemplatea1533
vise1551
pry?1553
observe1567
eye1592
over-eye?1592
watch1600
outwatch1607
spell1633
superintend1654
under-watch1654
tent1721
evigilate1727
twig1764
stag1796
eye-serve1800
spy1806
deek1825
screw1905
clock1911
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 1754 And bad him..Hauelok wel yemen..And wel do wayten al þe nith.
c1386 G. Chaucer Squire's Tale 121 He wayted many a constellacion Er he had doon this operacion.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13285 At see sant Iohn and Iam he fand, Quils þai þair lines war waitand.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 99 Fechez mo gestez, Waytez gorstez & greuez, if ani gomez lyggez,..fechez hem hider.
c1400 Rule St. Benet 863 And when so we ȝern ony thing Þat may fall vnto flesch likyng, Thinke we god waites vs weterly.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 3761 A monk to wayte þis taken stode.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 1698 Whethir þou wayted our nyght wayes?
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 2888 Wemen waited hym well, hade wondur of hym one, That of shap for to shew was shene to beholde.
†b. To watch mentally, observe, consider attentively. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > notice, observation > observe, note [verb (transitive)] > observe closely
note?c1225
waitc1384
specule1484
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Philipp. iii. 17 Britheren,..wayte ȝe [L. observate] hem that walken so, as ȝe han oure foorme.
1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles Prol. 45 Ther nys no gouernour on þe grounde ne sholde gye him þe better..Ȝif he waite well þe wordis, and so werche þerafter.
c1430 God's Complaint 57 in Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1866) 165 Waite what y dide to marie maudeleyne, And what y seide to thomas of ynde.
†c. To watch over, take charge of, care for (a person's interests). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)]
hold971
yemeOE
biwitc1000
keepa1325
wait1362
tentc1400
attendc1420
to take guard1426
tend?1521
to have the care of1579
to have, take, give (the) charge of1611
mind1640
to have, take in charge1665
tutor1682
attend1796
shepherda1822
mother1851
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. vi. 37 I haue ben his felawe þis fiftene wynter..With-Innen and withouten I-wayted his profyt.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 5416 Þus coude ihoseph, i said ȝou, waite his lauerd þe kinges prou.
?a1400 Morte Arth. 164 If thou my wyrchipe wayte..Thou salle haue gersoms fulle grett.
c1400 Rule St. Benet 2471 Þeir awn winyng þai sal not wayt, Þat oþer win þai sal couayt.
†d. To search for. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)]
seekc888
aseekc1000
i-secheOE
huntc1175
to seek afterc1175
beseechc1200
fand?c1225
ofseche?c1225
to seek forc1250
atseekc1275
furiec1290
forseeka1300
outseekc1300
upseekc1315
to look after ——c1330
wait1340
laita1350
searchc1350
pursuea1382
ensearchc1384
to feel and findc1384
inseekc1384
looka1398
fraist?a1400
umseeka1400
require?c1400
walec1400
to look up1468
prowla1475
to see for ——c1485
to look for ——a1492
to have in the wind1540
sue1548
vent?1575
seek1616
explore1618
dacker1634
research1650
to see out for1683
quest1752
to see after ——1776
1340–70 Alisaunder 808 Hee wendes too a wildernes & waites him erbes.
c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn Prol. l. 424 Þe Pardonere, þat drewe apart, & weytid hym a trest For to hyde hym selff.
†4.
a. intransitive. To keep watch; to look intently. Also with adverb or phrase, to wait about, about one, on every side, etc. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > notice, observation > take note, observe [verb (intransitive)]
awaitc1300
wait1338
animadvertc1550
comment1597
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > keep watch [verb (intransitive)]
wait1338
to do, make waitc1440
to lay watch?a1475
invigilate1553
advigilate1623
1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1725) 120 Hir frendes fulle fast waited aboute & woke, & Mald at þe last kyng Steuen scho toke.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. viii. 128 And þorw heore wordes I awok and waitide [MS. V. lokede] aboute, And sauh [etc.].
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xiii. 343 I wayted wisloker, and thanne was it soiled With lykyng of lecherye, as by lokyng of his eye.
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 1585 And as he waytis in a wra, þan was he ware sone Of þe maister of þat meneyhe.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 2163 Þenne he wayted hym aboute.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 1423 He waytez onwyde, his wenches he byholdes.
c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 1815 Sho..waited obout fer and ner.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur vi. xvi. 209 Ther with he wayted aboue hym and vnder hym, and ouer his hede he sawe a rownsepyk.
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Fox & Wolf l. 763 in Poems (1981) 33 On euerilk syde full warlie couth he wait.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 876 He waites vmbe hym wightly, & was ware sone Of þe orible oxin.
1598 Floure & Leafe in T. Speght Wks. G. Chaucer f. 366/2 Wherefore I waited about busily On euery syde if I her might see.
†b. To act as a watchman. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > watch or keep guard [verb (intransitive)] > perform duty of watchman
ward1390
wait1436
watch1487
to watch and ward1583
cockatoo1935
1436 Siege of Calais in Polit. Poems (Rolls) II. 153 The porters kept the gattes full manly,..To wate they wer not irk.
c1470 J. Hardyng Chron. cxxxviii. xii To castell Pilgrym..there was no waye but one full straite, On a cawsey..Strongly walled, with towres on to wayte.
1605 R. Verstegan Restit. Decayed Intelligence x. 327 Wee call him that waighteth at the towre, one of the ward or a warder.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) i. iv. 3 I am come to suruey the Tower this day;..Where be these Warders, that they wait not here? View more context for this quotation
†c. To observe carefully. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > observe or watch
spya1400
wait1399
espyc1405
watch1487
gate?1590
to look sharp1680
stag1796
to keep one's eyes peeled1844
to skin one's eyes1851
to peel one's eyes1875
to take sights1934
1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles iii. 128 Ȝit swiche ffresshe ffoodis beth..ffor her dignesse endauntid of dullisshe nollis, And, if þou well waite, of no wight ellis.
†d. With indirect question: To watch, observe carefully what, when, how, etc. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > watch or observe > watch what, when, or how
waitc1275
c1275 Laȝamon Brut 23077 Þis ileueþ Bruttus þat he wole come þus and lokeþ and waiteþ wane he come to londe.
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. 268 Euere he waytede, ȝif ore louerd ani grace him wolde sende.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 1495 He sente knyghtes & squiers To waite who made on hym pres.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1821 I wol..waite ȝif any weiȝh comes wending alone.
c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §25. 34 Now yif so be þat the semith to long a tarienge.., thanne whaite whan the sonne is in any other degree of the zodiak.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 902 A suerd he drew rycht manlik him to wer, Ay wayttand fast gyff he mycht get a sper.
1598 R. Bernard tr. Terence Andria i. i, in Terence in Eng. 13 Observes illum quid agat: quid captet consilii. Watch him what hee doth, wait what he intendeth.
†e. To take precautions, be watchful or cautious. In imperative: Take care, see to it that.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > be vigilant or on one's guard [verb (intransitive)]
watcha1225
warea1325
bewarea1400
keepc1400
waitc1400
lay good waitc1440
to lie in great waitc1440
to look out?1553
to look about1599
awake1602
advigilate1623
to keep an eye open1651
perdue1656
to look sharp1680
waken1682
tout1699
to keep a sharp look-out1827
to keep one's weather-eye open1829
to keep (also have) an eye out1833
to keep one's eyes peeled1844
to watch out1845
to skin one's eyes1851
to have (also keep) one's eye on the ball1937
to watch one's back1949
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > care or heed [verb (intransitive)] > take care > take care that something be done
foreseec900
witea1000
seec1300
awaitc1400
waitc1400
wakea1425
overseea1470
to see to ——1474
wardc1475
regard1535
to wait on ——1596
attend1612
examine1683
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 292 I schal wayte to be war her wrenchez to kepe.
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 573 Algate he wayted so in his achaat That he was ay biforn and in good staat.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur i. ii. 37 But wayte ye make not many questions with her nor her men, but saye ye are diseased, and soo hye yow to bedde.
a1475 J. Russell Bk. Nurture (Harl. 4011) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 144 Euer of a sharpe knyff wayte þat ye be sure.
1522 Worlde & Chylde (de Worde) (1909) sig. A.iv Wayte well that thou suffre no shame.
5.
a. transitive. To look forward (esp. with desire or apprehension) to (some future event or contingency); to continue in expectation of. Now somewhat rare: usually superseded by await v.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait for, await [verb (transitive)] > an event or opportunity
waita1400
to look for ——a1500
observe1541
watch1578
watch1831
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait for, await [verb (transitive)]
bidec950
keepc1000
abideOE
i-kepe?c1225
lookc1225
bidea1300
sustainc1350
await1393
remainc1455
tarry?a1475
attenda1513
expect1536
to stay on1540
watch1578
remain1585
staya1586
to stay for ——1602
tend1604
to bide upona1616
behold1642
prestolate1653
expecta1664
wait1746
a1400 Minor Poems from Vernon MS 527/80 Ȝif þou waxe pore he wol skorne þe—Wayte of him neuere oþer bounte.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3322 I wot, sir, witterly, will I or noght, Your wille I moste wirke, waite I non other.
c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme lxix. 5 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 81 Waiting aid, with ernest eying.
a1640 P. Massinger & J. Fletcher Very Woman iv. i. 26 in P. Massinger 3 New Playes (1655) I thank ye, And soon I'll wait your promise.
1671–2 Sir C. Lyttelton in E. M. Thompson Corr. Family of Hatton (1878) I. (Camden) 75 Wee waite much wht ye Spaniards will returne to ye King of France message.
1746 P. Francis tr. Horace in P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Epistles i. xviii. 21 Admitted as an humble Guest, Where Men of Money break their Jest, He waits the Nod, with Awe profound, And catches, ere it reach the Ground, The falling Joke.
1802 H. Martin Helen of Glenross II. 57 If Harry really loves me.., bid him wait futurity with composure.
1830 Ld. Tennyson Adeline in Poems 71 What aileth thee? whom waitest thou?
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. i. i. 8 Or they that in the Bicêtre Hospital, ‘eight to a bed’, lie waiting their manumission.
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xl. 367 She took up her residence with Mr. Bowls..and waited the result of the advertisement.
1885 J. H. Dell Dawning Grey, Higher Creed 6 We wait the harps of sounder string, Than [etc.].
b. intransitive. (Chiefly to wait for = sense 5a above).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait, await [verb (intransitive)]
bidec1000
onbideOE
abidelOE
sustainc1350
tarry1390
await1393
to wait for1577
hearken1580
attend1589
sit1591
wait and see1719
to wait on1773
to hold one's (also the) breath1987
1577 M. Hanmer tr. Socrates Scholasticus i. xix, in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. 245 When the woman perceaued her selfe to be daungerously sicke, and wayted for no other then present death.
1581 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xliv. 266 I knaw thou vaittis Lieutenentis place to haue.
a1591 H. Smith Serm., Noah's Drunk. (1602) G 4 b The ground..wayted for nothing now, but a paynefull labourer to till and dresse it.
1621 T. Granger Familiar Expos. Eccles. xi. 5. 297 And hee that waiteth for olde mens shoes, may happily goe bare foote in the meane time.
1641 J. Milton Of Reformation 87 These importunate Wolves, that wait and thinke long till they devoure thy tender Flock.
1805 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 14 374 We wait with anxiety but not with impatience for the succeeding numbers.
1832 Ld. Tennyson Dream Fair Women xxxiv, in Poems (new ed.) 130 Dimly I could descry The stern blackbearded Kings.., Waiting to see me die.
c. To remain for a time without something expected or promised.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > [verb (intransitive)] > remain in one place > without something expected
wait1549
1549 R. Crowley Voyce Laste Trumpet sig. Cii If thou be a mans atturney..Let him not wayte and spend money If hys dispatch do lye in the.
1897 H. Caine Christian i. x. 46 That was the only understanding on which he would agree to wait for his money.
d. wait for it, said (often parenthetically) to create an interval of suspense before imparting something remarkable or amusing, in order to heighten its effect. Also ironically. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > state of uncertainty, suspense > be in suspense [verb (intransitive)] > suspend judgement or action
suspend1585
to leave in the midst1609
(to stand or sit) on or upon the fence1830
wait for it1930
1930 M. Allingham Myst. Mile xviii. 170 ‘Wait a minute,’ said Mr. Knapp. ‘Wait for it... That is just exactly wot I do know.’
1958 S. Hyland Who goes Hang? xvi. 74 ‘You're hiding something…’ ‘Wait for it my dear.’
1966 ‘H. Calvin’ Italian Gadget ii. 21 We can have a shower and..wait for it, dinner at the Palazzo Capucci.
1979 R. Laidlaw Lion is Rampant xviii. 139 The real attack will come from, wait for it, wait for it—anither direction a'thegither.
6.
a. transitive. To continue stationary or quiescent, in expectation of (a person or thing, an event); to defer departure or action until the arrival or occurrence of. Now rare: superseded by wait for (see 7) and await v.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait for, await [verb (transitive)] > while remaining still
wait14..
to stay for ——1554
to wait on ——1694
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)] > defer departure or action until
wait14..
tarry?a1475
to stay for ——1602
to wait on ——1694
to wait of ——1712
14.. Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1903) 273 Mary hys moder went þe weye To caluery þer he xuld deye, And waytyd þer here chylde.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 36 Tharfor thair cummyng vatit [1489 Adv. waytit] he, And met thame at thair ariving.
1578 in A. Feuillerat Documents Office of Revels Queen Elizabeth (1908) 297 To waight my Lord Chamberlaines comyng thither.
a1604 M. Hanmer Chron. Ireland 59 in J. Ware Two Hist. Ireland (1633) From thence he went to a place called Lothra, where he builded another Monasterie, and lyeth there wayting the generall resurrection.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. vi. §2 That where there were any other evidences, that the Prophet spake by Divine Revelation, there was no reason to wait the fulfilling of every particular Prophecy before he was believed as a Prophet.
1668 J. Dryden Sr Martin Mar-all i. 2 This Tide will bring them from Gravesend. You had best let your man go, as from me, And wait them at the Stairs in Durham-yard.
1771 E. Griffith Hist. Lady Barton II. 253 We had before agreed to wait the return of the chancellor's messenger at St. Omers.
1797 H. Lee Canterbury Tales I. 293 Without waiting her answer..he would have led her down stairs.
1802 Noble Wanderers II. 128 One of the slaves, whom he had commanded to wait his return.
1808 Z. M. Pike Acct. Exped. Sources Mississippi ii. App. 22 We were requested to halt and wait the arrival of the chief, who was half a mile from us.
1816 W. Scott Old Mortality ix, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. IV. 212 Lady Emily's servant was waiting orders in the kitchen.
1819 W. Scott Legend of Montrose xv, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. IV. 320 She now waits you at the altar.
1883 R. Whitelaw tr. Sophocles Philoctetes 123 Now then remain, and wait his coming here, Whilst I go hence.
1899 A. Quiller-Couch Ship of Stars xxvi The Vicar clambered out to wait it [the coffin].
b. transferred. Of things: To remain in readiness for, to await; to be in store for, to be reserved for. Cf. await v. 8a.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > promise, ground of hope > foster hopes [verb (transitive)] > be in store for
attend1578
await1594
to stay for ——1602
attend1617
wait1745
1745 Sc. Transl. & Paraphr. li. i But better mansions wait the just, prepar'd above the sky.
1761 C. Churchill Rosciad 10 Public Contempt shall wait the Public Fool.
1850 F. W. Robertson Serm. (1853) 3rd Ser. xviii. 233 The same..calculations wait us when we bend our eyes on that which is to come.
c. to wait out: (a) U.S. Baseball, (of a batter) to force (a pitcher) to throw a maximum number of pitches by refraining from striking at pitches in the hope of getting a base ‘on balls’, i.e. because they were not pitched over the home-plate; hence (chiefly U.S. colloquial), to wait during (a period of time, an event, etc.); to wait for the end of; also, to wait it out, to endure a period of waiting; (b) = to wait for at sense 5b).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > baseball > play baseball [verb (transitive)] > actions of batter
pop1867
foul1870
poke1880
pole1882
bunch1883
line1887
to foul off1888
rip1896
sacrifice1905
pickle1906
to wait out1909
pull1912
single1916
pinch-hit1929
nub1948
tag1961
tomahawk1978
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait, await [verb (intransitive)] > patiently
sufferc1380
to hang on1939
to wait it out1956
1909 Amer. Mag. Aug. 401 Still Chance commanded: ‘Wait—wait him out.’ Every batter went to the plate intent on making Donovan pitch as many balls to them as possible.
1936 Philadelphia Rec. 31 July 15/1 Alf M. Landon is up there under instructions from the bench to wait 'em out.
1956 H. Kurnitz Invasion of Privacy xv. 95 He monopolized the phone in the bedroom, where Shelly and Zorn were waiting it out.
1959 N.Y. Times Mag. 11 Oct. 18/1 He is sealed into the container and..lies there in his ‘contour couch’ and waits out the long countdown.
1966 D. Francis Flying Finish x. 131 I retired to the snack bar..to wait out the twenty minutes.
1977 R. Perry Dead End i. 9 Unfortunately, I couldn't afford to wait him out. Daley was already overdue.
7. intransitive or absol.
a. To remain in a place, defer one's departure until something happens. Often to wait for = sense 6.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (intransitive)] > defer action until something happens > defer departure until something happens
waitc1405
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 71 Now certes lord, to abiden your presence [printed persence] Heere in this temple of the goddesse clemence We haue been waytynge al this fourtenyght.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Judith x. 6 Now whan she came to the porte of the cite, she founde Osias and the elders of the cite waitinge there.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 642 But he was espyed by diuerse watermen..which wayted for his foorthcomyng on the Thamys.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing i. iii. 14 I must be sad when I haue cause, and smile at no mans iests, eate when I haue stomack, and wait for no mans leisure. View more context for this quotation
1629 J. Ford Lovers Melancholy iii. 38 At the backe dore Tatter-demallians waite, who know not how To get admittance.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 132. ⁋1 I..dressed immediately, that I might make no one wait.
1779 Mirror No. 57 Allowing ladies to go unattended to a public place, to wait there four hours in expectation of the gentlemen with whom they were to dance.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 1st Ser. I. 24 The old adage, ‘time and tide wait for no man..’.
1856 J. Ruskin King Golden River (ed. 3) i. 12 What did you keep us waiting in the rain for?
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xxii. 152 At the summit of these rocks I again waited for him.
1896 A. Conan Doyle Rodney Stone xxii Sir James Ovington's carriage was waiting without.
1905 R. Bagot Passport xi. 104 I must drive back to Genzano. I told the vetturino to wait.
b. colloquial. to wait about: to linger expectantly, ‘hang about’ where something is likely to happen. Also (chiefly U.S.) to wait around.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait, await [verb (intransitive)] > expectantly
muse?c1450
tend1604
to wait around1879
1879 M. E. Braddon Cloven Foot II. xxix. 268 ‘What has become of your brother?’ Laura asked, as she and Celia waited about, side by side, watching the assembly of the field.
1886 W. Besant Children of Gibeon III. ii. xxx. 199 The street was, however, well enough lighted for Claude to see a figure waiting about on the pavement.
1895 M. Halstead 100 Bear Stories 57 It grew sort of monotonous waiting around.
1899 J. L. Williams Stolen Story 175 I suppose they're waiting around till it stops raining.
c. To defer action until some event has taken place; also with infinitive, to delay to do something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (intransitive)] > defer action until something happens
to wait one's (or the) time, hour, opportunity, etc.c1480
stayc1540
expect1548
attend1560
to stand about ——1564
waita1633
suspend1690
to stand over1771
a1633 G. Herbert Outlandish Prov. (1640) sig. A2v Hee puls with a long rope, that waights for anothers death.
1800 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 3 460 To wait ‘no longer than ten or fifteen minutes for the efforts of nature’, is a position which cannot be too strongly reprobated.
1836 J. H. Newman Parochial Serm. III. xxi. 342 If we wait till all the world are worshippers, we must wait till the world is new made.
1843 T. Carlyle Past & Present iii. xv. 310 A whole Eternity I waited to be born.
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond I. viii. 175 Beatrix..waited even to burst out a-crying, until she got to the door.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People viii. §6. 519 He had shown he knew how to wait, and when waiting was over he knew how to act.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 434 A man should wait, and not take his own life until God summons him.
1883 R. Whitelaw tr. Sophocles Philoctetes 837 Thou seest, now is the time. Why should we wait to do this deed?
d. to wait on: (a) Scottish to linger about a place; (b) Scottish also, to linger in expectation of death; (c) Hawking (see quot. 1891); (d) dialect (esp. Australian and New Zealand), to wait for a while, to ‘hold on’. Frequently imperative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > [verb (intransitive)] > remain as opposed to go
bidec893
yleaveOE
leaveOE
wonc1000
abideOE
worthOE
beliveOE
atstutte-nc1220
stuttea1225
atstuntc1230
astinta1250
beleavea1325
lasta1325
stounda1325
stinta1340
joukc1374
restaya1382
to leave over1394
liec1400
byec1425
onbidec1430
keep1560
stay1575
delay1655
to wait on1773
stop1801
to sit on1815
to hang around1830
to stick around1878
to sit tight1897
remain1912
stay-down1948
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait, await [verb (intransitive)]
bidec1000
onbideOE
abidelOE
sustainc1350
tarry1390
await1393
to wait for1577
hearken1580
attend1589
sit1591
wait and see1719
to wait on1773
to hold one's (also the) breath1987
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait, await [verb (intransitive)] > in expectation of death
to wait on1773
the world > food and drink > hunting > hawking > action of hawk > [verb (intransitive)] > other actions
tirec1220
beak1486
enseam1486
traverse1486
bind1575
crab1575
gleam1575
accost1596
canceleera1640
to wait on1773
to throw up1881
(a)
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian xi, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. I. 314 It's a sair thing to hae to do wi' courts of law, unless it be to improve ane's knowledge..by waiting on as a hearer.
(b)1836 Wilson's Hist. Tales Borders II. 377 I did hear tell that his faither was waitin on, but I hope he's no that far gane yet.(c)1773 J. Campbell Treat. Mod. Faulconry 158 If your hawk wait well on at her being first entered.1828 J. S. Sebright Observ. Hawking (new ed.) 17 He [the hawk] may thus be made to follow the falconer wherever he pleases; this is called waiting on.1891 J. E. Harting Bibliotheca Accipitraria 231 A hawk is said to ‘wait on’ when she soars in circles over the head of the falconer, waiting for the game to be flushed.(d)1943 N. Marsh Colour Scheme xiii. 228 ‘Wait on, wait on,’ Dikon heard Webley mumble, ‘You'll get it back all right.’1946 K. Tennant Lost Haven (1947) x. 138 Wait on, Patsy... Wait on, Patsy. You talk of letting the water out, but what about the fish?—bloody fish'll go too.1967 ‘G. Douglas’ Death went Hunting xviii. 161 For some reason I can't define, he seems quite willing to accept his present position... As we say in Yorkshire, he appears to be waiting on.1968 S. L. Elliott Rusty Bugles in E. Hanger Three Austral. Plays 92 Andy: Open the one from Darky. Gig: I am blast you... Wait on, can't you?
e. Horse Racing. to wait off: to allow oneself to be distanced by other competitors in order to ‘romp in’ when their energies are exhausted. Cf. waiting race n. at waiting n.1 Compounds 3.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > engage in horse racing [verb (intransitive)] > actions of horse
to carry weight1734
to get up1840
screw1840
to come again1841
to set to1856
to wait off1856
romp1869
to answer the question1875
compound1876
to gallop to a standstill1892
nick1898
to take up1912
rate1920
1856 ‘The Druid’ Post & Paddock vi. 91 He patiently waited off, while Sancho forced the running.
f. to wait up: to defer going to bed in expectation of the arrival of some one.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > state of being awake > be or remain awake [verb (intransitive)] > intentionally
watchc1000
to sit upc1450
stay1526
to burn (etc.) the midnight oil1635
to set up1697
to wake it1766
to watch up1852
to wait up1855
to stop up1857
1855 A. Trollope Warden xviii. 283 Dr. Grantly..and Mrs. Grantly..are waiting up for you.
1892 Temple Bar Oct. 169 Don't wait up for me.
g. to wait and see (with indirect question or ellipsis of this): to await the course of events. Also to wait till one sees, and wait and see n. phr.In the early 20th cent. often used with allusion to Mr. H. H. Asquith's repeated reply of ‘Wait and see’ to a succession of questions in parliament.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait, await [verb (intransitive)]
bidec1000
onbideOE
abidelOE
sustainc1350
tarry1390
await1393
to wait for1577
hearken1580
attend1589
sit1591
wait and see1719
to wait on1773
to hold one's (also the) breath1987
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > [adjective] > characterized by
waiting1553
wait and see1719
expectant1803
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 311 However, we had no Remedy, but to wait and see what the Issue of Things might present.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 2nd Ser. 70 The tailor..bid them wait and see what happened.
1847 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) xxxv. 354 Mr. Towlinson..says wait and see.
1883 M. B. Betham-Edwards Disarmed viii When we have had dinner, we will do something better than have stories. Wait and see.
1905 Smart Set Oct. 11/1 You boys just wait till you see. I'll have you all jumpin' side-ways pretty soon.
1910 Blackwood's Mag. May 747/1 Mr. Asquith has deemed it not incompatible with the gravity of his office to elude the curiosity of his opponents with the absurd formula, ‘Wait and see’.
1969 S. Hyland Top Bloody Secret ii. 121 The philosophy of wait and see..was getting him nowhere.
1976 Scottish Daily Express 23 Dec. 11/2 The rest of the back row is in a similar state of ‘wait and see’.
attributive.1870 L. M. Alcott Old-fashioned Girl xiv. 231 She..thought she would ‘wait and see.’.. The ‘wait-and-see’ decision was making her friend unhappy.1915 F. S. Oliver Ordeal by Battle i. vii. 82 History..shows us at every other crisis of this sort always the same triangle of forces—a War party, a Peace party, and a Wait-and-See party.1930 Daily Express 6 Sept. 4/2 Every one adopts a ‘wait and see’ policy, and business goes ‘flop’.1977 A. J. Russell Pour Hemlock xii. 147 His was a wait-and-see posture.1984 Times 8 June 20/1 An understandable wait-and-see management caution.
h. transferred. Of a thing: To remain in readiness for some purpose. Also, to remain for a while neglected.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare or get ready [verb (intransitive)] > be prepared or ready > remain in readiness
wait1838
1838 E. Bulwer-Lytton Alice I. i. iii. 22 ‘So you are come for your daily lesson..?’ ‘Yes; but Tasso can wait if [etc.].’
1874 J. Parker Paraclete i. ii. 14 John's gospel is waiting until the Church becomes mature enough to understand it.
1894 H. Caine Manxman vi. xvii There was a letter waiting for Philip at home.
1921 N.E.D. at Wait Mod. This letter must be answered at once; the others can wait.
i. quasi-transitive. To postpone (a meal) in expectation of the arrival of some one. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait for, await [verb (transitive)] > postpone a meal
wait1788
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)] > postpone a meal until someone arrives
wait1838
1788 J. Woodforde Diary 29 Feb. (1927) III. 8 Mr. Taswell..desired us to send to Mr. Custance that they might not wait dinner for him.
1836 C. Dickens Let. 17 Sept. (1965) I. 174 I hope and trust you did not wait dinner for me.
1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist III. xlix. 287 ‘It's a trying thing waiting supper for lovers,’ said Mr. Grimwig, waking up.
1861 A. Trollope Orley Farm (1862) I. xxi. 164 Who asked you to wait tea till near eleven o'clock?
j. to be unable (etc.) to wait (for or to do something), to be very eager or anxious for or to do it. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (intransitive)] > with anxiety or eagerness
to be at or in weeningc1275
on or upon (one's) tiptoes1642
tiptoe1883
to be unable (etc.) to wait1938
1938 D. Du Maurier Rebecca xvi. 232 ‘Oh, Madam, how exciting,’ breathed Clarice. ‘I don't know how I am going to wait for the day.’
1958 I. Murdoch Bell xix. 234 We're all so excited, we can hardly wait for tomorrow morning.
1971 J. Osborne West of Suez ii. i. 63 Can't wait! Let's go home now.
1972 National Observer (U.S.) 27 May 10/3 Now the young musicians can't wait to get at their instruments.
k. (you) wait till (or until).., used to imply a threat, warning, etc., or promise of something interesting or exciting, when the specified event has occurred. Also elliptical as you wait!
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait for, await [verb (transitive)] > implying threat
(you) wait till (or until)‥1938
1938 G. Greene Brighton Rock iii. i. 99 ‘I dunno who Brewer is,’ Ida said, ‘but things seem lively.’ ‘You wait till the races start,’ the man said. ‘They'll be lively all right then.’
1953 E. Simon Past Masters iii. iii. 154 Parents brazened out their children's tantrums with the key-phase of, ‘You wait!’.
1960 S. Barstow Kind of Loving ii. ii. 162 Seventy-four guineas, Henry. Seventy-four bloody lovely guineas. Just wait till we tell Mr. Van Huyten about this.
1975 J. Gores Hammett xix. 130 She was going over to..tea with the George F. Biltmores! Wait until she wrote her mother about that!
1984 Guardian 5 Oct. 14/3 Mr Scargill..will soon, very soon—just you wait—emerge triumphant.
8. Phrases. to wait one's (or the) time, hour, opportunity, etc..
†a. (sense 3) To watch, look out for an opportunity (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > an opportunity > give opportunity for [verb (transitive)] > look out for an opportunity
to wait one's time1303
observe1541
watch1578
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait, await [verb (intransitive)] > for an opportunity
to wait one's (or the) time, hour, opportunity, etc.1303
watch?1473
to wait for dead men's shoes1550
to have an eye to the wood1578
to bide one's time1853
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 825 Weyte þy tyme, and be not þe last To come whan holy watyr ys cast.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 19715 Þair redes þar-for can þai run,..Night and dai to wait þe time Quen þai moght cum to murther him.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) ii. l. 2292 To triste was he sette forto waite þe chance.
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 555 Nyght and day he spedde hym that he kan To wayten a tyme of his conclusioun.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 523 He hame till his hous is gane, And vatit [1489 Adv. wattyt] oportunite For to fulfill his mawite.
a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Nero) vi. l. 1220 Twa men he bade in prewate To wayt ane oportunyte, And stel þat barn.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. DDii Wayting their vantage whan they may smyte the and slee the.
b. (sense 6) To defer action until a fitting season or opportunity shall present itself.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (intransitive)] > defer action until something happens
to wait one's (or the) time, hour, opportunity, etc.c1480
stayc1540
expect1548
attend1560
to stand about ——1564
waita1633
suspend1690
to stand over1771
c1480 (a1400) St. Andrew 999 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 92 Þe bischope had gret will his fellone lust to fulfill, waitand bot lasare quhen he mycht purchess oportunite.
1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes ii. ii. 57 in Wks. II Well, Sir, I'll waite a better season.
1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome iv. 59 Cassius was obliged to wait his opportunity.
1799 H. Dundas in Marquess Wellesley Select. Despatches (1877) 644 We cannot at present materially meliorate his government, but must wait favourable opportunities.
1813 W. Scott Rokeby i. 43 She comes not—He will wait the hour, When her lamp lightens in the tower.
9.
a. To be in readiness to receive orders; hence, to be in attendance as a servant; to attend as a servant does to the requirements of a superior. Chiefly const. on: see to wait on or upon —— 10 at Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > attendant or personal servant > attend as servant [verb (intransitive)]
followeOE
to stand before ——OE
wait1526
to wait attendancea1593
attenda1616
tenda1616
1526 Bible (Tyndale) 1 Cor. ix. 13 They which wayte att the aulter are parttakers with the aultre.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 49 Yea, his Lordships very Grayhound, likewise vsing to waite at his stirrop, was shot through the body.
1673 J. Milton Sonnets xvi, in Poems (new ed.) 59 They also serve who only stand and waite.
1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor iv, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. II. 86 He..dropped a little behind the lady, at whose bridle-rein he had hitherto waited with such devotion.
b. To serve as an attendant at table; to hand food and drink to persons at a meal. to wait at table (cf. to wait on or upon —— 10 at Phrasal verbs), †to wait at a trencher.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (intransitive)]
servec1275
sewc1440
pour1539
to wait on the cup, the trencher, the table1552
sewerc1553
wait1568
to wait up1654
to serve away1709
help1805
to wait (the) table1827
to sling hash1860
to be mother1934
1568 T. Howell Arbor of Amitie f. 36v Yee and ich can, if neede be than, waight at the table well.
1568 T. Howell Arbor of Amitie f. 36v Where ich did waite, at euerye baite.
c1592 in Nugæ Antiquæ (1779) II. 267 Item, That no man waite at the table without a trencher in his hand.
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 167 The king called unto his page that waited at his trencher.
a1630 F. Moryson in Shakespeare's Europe (1903) i. ii. 90 These gentlemen seruants waite with their hatts on, and sett at their masters table, both at home and abroad where their masters are invited.
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews I. i. ii. 8 Joey was now preferred from the Stable to attend on his Lady; to..wait at her Tea-table [etc.] . View more context for this quotation
1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice III. v. 99 She had not prudence enough to hold her tongue before the servants, while they waited at table. View more context for this quotation
1853 C. Dickens Bleak House iv. 29 The young woman with the flannel bandage waited, and dropped everything on the table wherever it happened to go.
1905 E. T. Thurston Traffic v. iv ‘Is she a musician then [at the restaurant]?’ asked Mr. Puckle. ‘No—she waited.’
†c. to wait up: to be in attendance at the head of the table. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (intransitive)]
servec1275
sewc1440
pour1539
to wait on the cup, the trencher, the table1552
sewerc1553
wait1568
to wait up1654
to serve away1709
help1805
to wait (the) table1827
to sling hash1860
to be mother1934
1654 Trag. Alphonsus iii. 29 As for the Chambermaid and my self, we will take our places at the neither end, the Jester is to wait up, and live by the crums that fall from the Emperours trencher.
d. quasi-trans. to wait (the) table = to wait at table. Scottish.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (intransitive)]
servec1275
sewc1440
pour1539
to wait on the cup, the trencher, the table1552
sewerc1553
wait1568
to wait up1654
to serve away1709
help1805
to wait (the) table1827
to sling hash1860
to be mother1934
1827 T. Carlyle tr. J. L. Tieck in German Romance II. 135 Andres waited supper.
1879 R. L. Stevenson Trav. with Donkey 152 She waited the table with a heavy placable nonchalance.
a1894 R. L. Stevenson St. Ives (1898) 82 We had a good many pleasant passages as she waited table or warmed my bed for me.
†e. quasi-trans. to wait attendance: to remain in attendance. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait, await [verb (intransitive)] > on a superior
to dance attendance1555
to wait attendancea1593
antechamber1884
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > attendant or personal servant > attend as servant [verb (intransitive)]
followeOE
to stand before ——OE
wait1526
to wait attendancea1593
attenda1616
tenda1616
a1593 C. Marlowe Edward II (1594) sig. C4 Nobles..That waite attendance for a gratious looke.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) i. i. 165.
†10.
a. transitive. To attend or escort, to accompany for the purpose of rendering service or showing respect. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > attendant or personal servant > attend upon as servant [verb (transitive)]
serveeOE
asservec1330
waitc1384
await1393
tenda1400
attend1469
intendc1500
c1384 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women 1269 This Troyan, that..can so well doon alle his obeisaunces, And waytyn hire at festis & at dauncis.
a1592 R. Greene Sc. Hist. Iames IV (1598) v. sig. H3v I must to Edenbourg vnto the king, There to take charge, and waight him in his warres.
a1640 P. Massinger Guardian ii. i. 72 in 3 New Playes (1655) Iol. Waite me. Calyph. As your shadow. Exeunt Iol. Calyp.
1687 J. Dryden Hind & Panther i. 31 She made a mannerly excuse to stay, Proff'ring the Hind to wait her half the way.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis viii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 455 Steeds are prepar'd to mount the Trojan Band; Who wait their Leader to the Tyrrhene Land.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 541 He..chose a thousand Horse..to wait the Funeral.
1725 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. iv. 61 Refresh'd, they wait them to the bow'r of state.
1728 A. Pope Dunciad i. 211 She bids him wait her to her sacred Dome; Well-pleas'd he enter'd.
1816 L. Hunt Story of Rimini i. 242 His shield Borne by the squire that waits him to the field.
†b. absol. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1601 B. Jonson Fountaine of Selfe-love ii. iii. sig. D4 One that hath newly entertain'd the Beggar to follow him, but cannot get him to wait neer inough. View more context for this quotation
†11. To attend as a concomitant or consequence.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > accompaniment > accompany or attend [verb (transitive)]
followeOE
to be with1382
to stand with ——1384
fellowship?c1400
fellow1434
encompanya1513
to go with ——1523
to come with ——1533
accompany1543
associate1548
affellowship1559
to wait on ——1579
concomitate1604
second1609
companion1622
comitate1632
attend1653
waita1674
to keep (a person) company1849
the world > existence and causation > existence > extrinsicality or externality > externalize [verb (transitive)] > attach to as something extrinsic
to grow to1390
annex1395
to wait on or upon ——1579
waita1674
subfix1684
accrete1712
cleave1958
a1674 T. Traherne Christian Ethicks (1675) 330 Prudence consists most in attempting the Business, for it will go on, and is ever waited with success when undertaken.
a1718 M. Prior 1st Hymn Callimachus 64 Swift Growth and wond'rous Grace, O heav'nly Jove, Waited Thy blooming Years.

Phrasal verbs

Special constructions with prepositions. to wait after ——
1. To expect, look forward to; to be ambitious or desirous of, seek for. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)]
weenOE
weenc1000
thinklOE
lookc1225
hopec1330
trusta1387
wait onc1390
supposea1393
to wait after ——1393
to look after ——c1400
thinkc1480
attend1483
suppone1490
expect1535
to expect for1538
aspect1548
respect1549
look1560
ween1589
attend1591
propose1594
await1608
to presume on, upon, or of1608
to look forwards1637
prospect1652
to look for ——a1677
augur1678
anticipate1749
to look to ——1782
spect1839
contemplate1841–8
to look forward1848
eye1979
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [verb (transitive)]
willeOE
wilnec897
desirec1230
catcha1350
appetec1385
appetitec1385
to wait after ——1393
to set (also have, keep, turn) one's mind onc1450
list1545
exopt1548
to have a mind1553
desiderate1646
lust1653
to have eyes for1657
like1685
want1698
choose1766
to be stuck on1878
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > hope for [verb (transitive)]
hopec1000
trow1340
trust1523
to wait after ——1534
lot1633
to look for ——1828
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 323 This Leonin..waiteth after gret beyete; But al for noght.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. ii. 124 Hewes in þe halyday after hete wayten.
c1440 Generydes 2440 He is descendid of an high lenage, And..waytith after right grete heritage.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 135 That we waite not aftir to be hoosilid with the sacrament of the auter.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 489 Certis he may not waite aftir that the conclusioun of this argument be proued or be trewe.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xix. 423 It is not for vs to wayte after pyte of hym, for he is over cruell a kyng vpon us.
1534 W. Marshall tr. Erasmus Playne & Godly Expos. Commune Crede f. 52v They do wayte after a kynge plentuosly appoynted with ryches, with armies or hostes of men, and with other worldly aydes.
†2. To look out for; to watch, keep in observation. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > watch or observe
keepc1000
overseeOE
waitc1300
advisec1325
awaita1375
to wait on ——c1384
markc1400
contemplec1429
to keep (also have) an (or one's) eye on (also upon)a1450
to look straitly to?c1450
to wait after ——c1460
vizy1488
contemplatea1533
vise1551
pry?1553
observe1567
eye1592
over-eye?1592
watch1600
outwatch1607
spell1633
superintend1654
under-watch1654
tent1721
evigilate1727
twig1764
stag1796
eye-serve1800
spy1806
deek1825
screw1905
clock1911
c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 1589 Beryne clepid a Maryner, & bad hym ‘sty on lofft, And weyte aftir our four Shippis, [þt] aftir vs doith dryve.’
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xxvi. 553 Thenne they set theymselfe doun vpon the fayr grasse, waytynge after theyr adverse party.
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) i. 54 He sawe a fende that..wayted bysely after all letters, and syllables, and wordes, and faylynges, that eny made.
 to wait for ——
see 5b, 7.
 to wait of ——
†1. To execute the commands of. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > obedience > obey or be obedient to [verb (transitive)] > execute command > execute commands of
to wait of ——a1586
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. xi. sig. G6 He would extol the deeds of Philoxenus, who indeede had but waited of him therin.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1593) v. sig. Rr6v A councellor, who hath..the reasonable excuse of a seruant, that did but waite of his mistres.
†2. To escort, accompany on the way, as a mark of honour: = to wait on or upon —— 11 at Phrasal verbs. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > show (the way) [verb (transitive)] > accompany as a guide > accompany or attend as companion
to go with ——c1330
convoyc1405
to wait on or upon ——1450
squire1530
to wait of ——?1551
escort1746
?1551 Sessions against Gardiner in J. Foxe Actes & Monuments (1563) 860/1 This deponent..receyued the kynges maiesties Visitors at Chichester,..and conducted and wayted of them into the dioces of Wynton.
1606 G. Chapman Gentleman Vsher iii. sig. D2v Waite of Master Vsher to the doore.
1709 N. Blundell Diary (1895) 78 I Wated of ye Duke and Dutches of Norfolk &c. out of Wigan part of their way towards Preston.
1724 Briton No. 25. 110 Footmen..return when the Play is done to wait of them home.
1734 Adm. Gordon in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. i. 193 At 9 acloake I sent my pinnace to wayte of General Lacy.
†3. To pay a respectful visit to: = to wait on or upon —— 13 at Phrasal verbs. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > social event > visit > visiting > visit [verb (transitive)] > respectfully
to wait on or upon ——1501
to wait of ——1555
levee1725
1555 in E. Lodge Illustr. Brit. Hist. (1791) I. 211 Trustyng shortely to wayte of yor Lordshyppe.
c1673 W. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 320 My Lord and his sons have been to see me at my chamber, but I had the misfortune to be abroad; and upon that score..I will wait of them again.
1677 W. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 324 I..shall acquaint his Lordship myself with it on Saturday, before which I cannot wait of him.
1707 N. Blundell Diary (1895) 55 I went to Bold to wate of Mr. Molin[eux] but he was gon a hunting.
4. = to wait for at sense 7a. Now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)] > defer departure or action until
wait14..
tarry?a1475
to stay for ——1602
to wait on ——1694
to wait of ——1712
1712 Tyldesley Diary (1873) 23 Stayed alday at Dick Jackson's watting of Mr. Blackborne, who came not till affter nine att night.
1828 Rep. Trial W. & J. Dyon at Castle of York 8 I was up waiting of my master until two o'clock.
 to wait on or upon ——
†1. To observe, watch; to fix one's eyes upon, gaze at. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > watch or observe
keepc1000
overseeOE
waitc1300
advisec1325
awaita1375
to wait on ——c1384
markc1400
contemplec1429
to keep (also have) an (or one's) eye on (also upon)a1450
to look straitly to?c1450
to wait after ——c1460
vizy1488
contemplatea1533
vise1551
pry?1553
observe1567
eye1592
over-eye?1592
watch1600
outwatch1607
spell1633
superintend1654
under-watch1654
tent1721
evigilate1727
twig1764
stag1796
eye-serve1800
spy1806
deek1825
screw1905
clock1911
c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame 342 For though your loue laste a seson, Wayte vpon the conclusyon.
c1394 P. Pl. Crede 361 Þei wilneþ worshipes—but waite on her dedes!
c1400 Rowland & O. 444 To þe castelle he wendes a pase And appone þe kirnells gase, to wayte appon þat were.
c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 6344 Anoon Jewel to his ship sent To warn his men to be redie, On his comyng to waite and spie.
1538 T. Elyot Dict. Inspecto, to behold attentiuely, to wayte on.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 13055 So Eger were all men Elan to se, For to waite on þat worthy went þai belyue.
†2. To lie in wait for. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > lie in wait for
keepc1000
waitc1200
aspya1250
awaita1250
wait onc1390
to wait on ——1390
forestall1413
belay1470
to lay fora1513
waylay1513
forelay1548
ambush1555
counterwait1562
to lie for1611
set1670
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 349 Of his men a gret partie He made in buisshement abide, To waite on him in such a tide That he ne mihte here hond ascape.
1595 W. S. Lamentable Trag. Locrine iv. i. 183 Millions of diuels wayt vpon thy soule!
1628 T. Hobbes tr. Thucydides Peloponnesian War (1629) ii. 128 As they sayled along the shore, Phormio waited on them till they were out of the streight, intending to set vpon them in the open Sea.
†3. To secure, protect (oneself). Obsolete.
ΚΠ
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12722 Þan he counseld Clunestra,..To be war of þat wegh, & wait on hir-seluyn.
†4. To attend to (a business, a duty). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > duties > [verb (transitive)] > attend to a duty
to wait on ——1526
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Rom. xii. 7 Let hym that hath an office, wayte on his office. [Similarly in later versions.]
†5. With clause as object: To take care that. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > care or heed [verb (intransitive)] > take care > take care that something be done
foreseec900
witea1000
seec1300
awaitc1400
waitc1400
wakea1425
overseea1470
to see to ——1474
wardc1475
regard1535
to wait on ——1596
attend1612
examine1683
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 255 He wayted weill onn, be all meines possible, that nathing dekayet of Justice in his Realme.
†6. To await, expect with desire or anxiety. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 7944 I wot the in witte to waite on myn end.
1608 Yorkshire Trag. sig. D Was this the answear I long waited on.
1642 J. Milton Apol. Smectymnuus 37 I perceave how hopelesse it will be to reach the heigth of their prayses at the accomplishment of that expectation that weights upon their noble deeds.
†7. To await the action of; to look to (a person) for something. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)] > look to someone
to wait on ——1682
to look to ——1824
1682 J. Bunyan Holy War 109 That the Prince that lay in the Leaguer, without the Wall, waited upon them [sc. the townsfolk] for an answer. View more context for this quotation
8. In Bible phrase, to place one's hope in (God). Cf. waiter n. 4b.Very common in the Bible of 1611; rendering several Hebrew verbs of identical meaning.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > hope for [verb (transitive)] > place hope in
to wait on or upon ——1535
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms lxi[i]. 1 My soule wayteth only vpon God, for of him commeth my helpe.
1611 Bible (King James) Psalms xxv. 3 Let none that wait on the be ashamed. View more context for this quotation
1840 ‘G. Eliot’ Let. 20 July (1954) I. 58 That constant waiting on God for instruction and comfort which [the Quietists]..make the sum total of religion.
1931 J. Buchan Blanket of Dark xvi. 307 Be still and wait on God.
1979 R. Blythe View in Winter ix. 300 One of the best things which all these new changes have brought about is this notion of waiting upon God.
9. To remain in one place in expectation of = to wait for at sense 7a. Also, more generally, to wait for ( 5b).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait for, await [verb (transitive)] > while remaining still
wait14..
to stay for ——1554
to wait on ——1694
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)] > defer departure or action until
wait14..
tarry?a1475
to stay for ——1602
to wait on ——1694
to wait of ——1712
1694 tr. F. Martens Voy. Spitzbergen 7 in Narbrough's Acct. Several Late Voy. We were forced to wait on him above half an hour, before he came from underneath the Ice.
1817 W. Sewall Diary 2 May (1930) 14/1 I proceeded to the Academy and agreed to enter there upon condition that the Professor would wait on me until the next winter.
1865 O. L. Jackson Colonel's Diary (1922) 227 We have been waiting on the pay department.
1915 J. Buchan Thirty-nine Steps vi. 135 He..raised his placid eyebrows and waited on me to speak.
1931 Amer. Speech 7 20 Wait on, wait for, the Biblical sense. ‘When I got there, John was waiting on me.’ (Widespread.)
1955 F. O' Connor Wise Blood v. 85 He..darted after Hazel Motes. ‘Wait on me!’ he shouted.
1960 Observer 7 Feb. 13/4 The nation waits on the railwaymen, to see if there will be a strike or not.
1984 P. Turnbull Big Money ix. 153 ‘I was just waiting on you two coming back.’ He stood and reached for his coat.
10. To attend as or in the manner of a servant to the personal requirements of; to minister to the comfort of. †Also in phrases, to wait on the cup, the trencher, the table (cf. 9b).to wait on (a person) hand and foot: see to wait on (also wait upon, serve) (a person) (†to) hand and foot at hand n. Phrases 6a(b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > presence > be present at [verb (transitive)] > be present in readiness for service of
attend?1499
to wait on or upon ——1509
the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (intransitive)]
servec1275
sewc1440
pour1539
to wait on the cup, the trencher, the table1552
sewerc1553
wait1568
to wait up1654
to serve away1709
help1805
to wait (the) table1827
to sling hash1860
to be mother1934
1509–10 Act 1 Hen. VIII c. 14 §1 No servyng manne waytyng uppon his maister..were eny garded Hose.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Wayte on the cup, ad cyathos stare.
a1557 J. Cheke tr. Gospel St. Matthew (1843) iv. 11 Then let ye devel him go, and lo angels cam vnto him and waited on him.
1575 G. Gascoigne Glasse of Gouernem. iv. v. sig. Iiii Wee should haue beene fayne to wayte on the table, and to bee contented with their leauings after supper.
1602 Kyd's Spanish Trag. (new ed.) ii. sig. D3v His Maiestie the other day did grace him With waiting on his cup.
1605 N. Breton I pray you be not Angrie sig. Cv To spende my time..onely for..waighting on a Trencher, looking on a faire House.
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 80 When they grow old, they most grow contemptible, being put to do the drudgeries of the house, and many times to waite on their children.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones III. vii. xv. 135 ‘It is not my business,’ answered the Drawer, ‘to wait upon the Chambers...’ ‘If you come to that,’ answered the Maid, ‘it is not my business to wait upon Gentlemen.’ View more context for this quotation
1847 F. Marryat Children of New Forest I. iv. 56 You can have no servants to wait upon you.
1865 Mrs. H. Wood Mildred Arkell I. xi When I was only six years old I had to wait on Mamma and Charlotte.
1901 T. J. Alldridge Sherbro xii. 114 He is waited upon hand and foot.
11. To accompany on one's way (as a mark of respect or to render service or assistance); to escort. Now rare (? exc. U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > show (the way) [verb (transitive)] > accompany as a guide > accompany or attend as companion
to go with ——c1330
convoyc1405
to wait on or upon ——1450
squire1530
to wait of ——?1551
escort1746
1450 W. Lomnor in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 35 With othere shippis waytyng on hym.
a1525 ( Coventry Leet Bk. (1908) II. 486 There shuld be xl sowdyers mo waged for a quarter of þe town wages to make vp a C men to wayte vppon the kyng in þis viage etc.
c1530 W. Tyndale Prol. Jonas A vj b Ande one yt cast out deuels in Christes name they forbade because he wayted not on them.
1585 J. Higgins tr. Junius Nomenclator 517/1 Pronuba,..a bridemaid, or she that trimmeth and maketh ready the bride, and waiteth vpon her homeward to her husbands house.
1601 Ld. Mountjoy Let. to Cecil 13 Nov. in F. Moryson Itinerary (1617) ii. ii. ii. 156 We entertained them so well, that we waited on them home, to the wals of the Towne, and made them leaue some of their dead bodies behind them.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. vii. 98 Let it be so, and you my noble Prince,..Shall waite vpon your Fathers Funerall. View more context for this quotation
a1659 T. Ball Life Preston (1885) 175 His friends at Cambridge, who did highly honour him, and desired nothing more then to have wayted on his dust to his long home.
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1654 (1955) III. 104 Upon a Letter of my Wifes Unkle Mr. Pretyman, I waited back on her to London.
1713 Tyldesley Diary (1873) 107 Then went to wate on Judge Dormr out off the toun.
1713 Tyldesley Diary (1873) 125 He watted on her home.
1807 Salmagundi 13 Feb. 44 On landing we were waited upon to our lodgings..by a vast and respectable escort.
1880 P. Ludlow Nick Hardy at College (1882) vi. 29 Nick complied, and was waited on into the drawing-room.
in extended use.1691 N. Tate in W. Petty Polit. Anat. Ireland Ep. Ded. sig. A4 Be pleas'd to permit this useful Treatise to wait on you to the Camp.
12. Hence (?) in Hunting, to wait close upon: to keep close to (the horse immediately in front).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > nearness > be near to [verb (transitive)] > remain near to > the horse in front in hunting
to wait close upon1861
1861 G. J. Whyte-Melville Market Harborough xxv Crasher..and Sawyer take their leaps abreast, and latter riding very quietly and carefully... Luxury is waiting close upon them.
13. To pay a respectful visit to; to call upon with the intention of showing respect, asking a favour, or the like. Also †transferred.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > social event > visit > visiting > visit [verb (transitive)] > respectfully
to wait on or upon ——1501
to wait of ——1555
levee1725
1501 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 161 Also I shall wate one you at Nottingham one sunday next, except ye comand me contrary.
1594 O. B. Questions Profitable Concernings 5 God willing he shall one day waight vpon you to better his knowledges.
1638 in F. P. Verney et al. Mem. Verney Family Civil War (1892) I. 279 I have A greate ambition yt you would please to honour me so farre as..to admitt me to waite upon you.
1664 Sir A. Bateman in Extracts State Papers (Friends' Hist. Soc.) (1912) 3rd Ser. 215 It is my Lord Chanselors comaund to mee, that I waite vpon your Honor to deliuer this inclosed letter to you.
1713 J. Addison in Guardian 14 July 1/2 She will wait upon any Lady at her own Lodgings, and talk by the Clock after the Rate of three Guineas an Hour.
1765 R. Gem in J. H. Jesse G. Selwyn & his Contemp. (1843) I. 367 The Baron D'Olbach and I intend ourselves the pleasure of waiting on you to dinner to-morrow.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. xi. 173 A person of distinction..sent his respects to the gentleman that was with us, and begged to know when he should think proper to be waited upon.
1847 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) xxvi. 259 I took the liberty of waiting on her..to inquire if she could charge me with any little commission.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 474 The Primate and the few Spiritual Peers who happened to be then in London had orders to wait upon the King.
1885 Manch. Examiner 6 July 4/7 A deputation had waited upon Lords Salisbury, Redesdale, and Roxburghe.
1762 J. Wilkes Let. 21 Sept. (1769) I. 15 Sunday's post brought me your lordship's [letter] of the 17th, and by the return of it this waits on your lordship.
14. Of things: To accompany; to be associated with; to attend as a concomitant or consequence.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > accompaniment > accompany or attend [verb (transitive)]
followeOE
to be with1382
to stand with ——1384
fellowship?c1400
fellow1434
encompanya1513
to go with ——1523
to come with ——1533
accompany1543
associate1548
affellowship1559
to wait on ——1579
concomitate1604
second1609
companion1622
comitate1632
attend1653
waita1674
to keep (a person) company1849
the world > existence and causation > existence > extrinsicality or externality > externalize [verb (transitive)] > attach to as something extrinsic
to grow to1390
annex1395
to wait on or upon ——1579
waita1674
subfix1684
accrete1712
cleave1958
1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 52 For no man is so..simple witted, as to bring into so poore and meane houses, bedsteades with siluer feete, imbrodered couerlettes..nor suche other like costly furniture and finenes, as those things require to wayte vpon them.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) i. vii. 44 Letting I dare not, wait vpon I would, Like the poore Cat i' th' Addage. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) v. i. 141 Infirmitie (Which waits vpon worne times). View more context for this quotation
1622 J. Taylor Farewell to Tower-bottles A 7 For 'tis a Maxim held in euery Nation, Great men are wayted on by Adulation.
1646 R. Crashaw Steps to Temple 33 To them shee gave the first and fairest Beame That waited on her Birth.
1657 P. Heylyn Ecclesia Vindicata ii. iii. §6. 146 Prayer..being an action meerly moral, was notwithstanding to be waited on with such rites and gestures.
1692 M. Prior Ode Imitation Horace xi Justice and Freedom on his Conquests wait.
1746 J. Hervey Medit. (1818) 60 Her form was symmetry itself; every elegance breathed in her air; and all the graces waited on her motions.
1842 S. Lover Handy Andy i Disappointment waited on all affairs in which he bore a part.
1859 J. S. Mill On Liberty i. 12 Elective and responsible government became subject to the observations and criticisms which wait upon a great existing fact.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 299 Retribution is the suffering which waits upon injustice.
†15. To support the opinion of. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or backing > support, side with, or back [verb (transitive)]
werea1300
to be abouta1400
support?a1439
to go with ——a1475
outbear1530
follow1548
subscribe1560
second1596
suffrage1614
to wait on ——1639
subjoin1810
suffrage1838
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iv. v. 175 The Master of the Sentences (waited on herein with other learned men) is of opinion, That [etc.].
 to wait over ——
† To watch over. Obsolete.Cf. overwait v. (= supervise, Pecock).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > watch or keep guard over [verb (transitive)]
hold971
witec1000
ward?a1035
looklOE
bewakec1175
getec1175
wakec1175
i-witea1240
forelook1340
watch?a1400
to watch over——1526
award?c1550
guard1582
to wait over ——1659
shepherd1885
watchdog1902
warden1910
1659 H. Hammond Paraphr. & Annot. Psalms (lxxviii. 52 Paraphr.) 387 His..providence..continually waited over them, and provided supplies for all their wants.
 to wait to ——
† To keep watch upon, attend carefully to. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > take care about [verb (transitive)] > see to or about
yemec897
to look to ——c1300
attendc1315
seea1350
to see to ——a1382
attenda1400
await?c1430
to wait to ——c1440
to see unto ——a1470
intentc1500
visit?1518
to see after ——1544
to look unto ——1545
attend1611
to see about ——1710
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > notice, observation > observe, note [verb (transitive)] > listen attentively, heed
listc897
listenc950
hearOE
hearkenc1000
harkc1175
listc1175
to-heara1250
listenc1290
to listen onc1330
to wait to ——c1440
regard1533
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > keep watch on [verb (transitive)]
biwitieOE
to look to ——c1330
watchc1330
to make or lay await onc1386
markc1400
to wait to ——c1440
to keep (also have) an (or one's) eye on (also upon)a1450
waken1535
to look unto ——1594
to carry a wary (also watchful, etc.) eye on (also upon)1596
to look after ——a1616
overwatch1618
snokea1652
to look up1855
surveil1960
c1440 York Myst. xxxiii. 253 Sirs, waites to þer wightis þat no wiles be wrought.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 405 And skile whi al this is trewe may be perceyued weel ynowȝ of a diligent considerer, waiting weel to ech word which is now bifore here seid.
1508 Bk. Keruynge (de Worde) sig. A.iv And wayte well to the sewer how many dysshes be couered.

Compounds

† wait-gleed n. [= Old French gaite-tison] Obsolete one who sits lazily watching the fire.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > disinclination to act or listlessness > sloth or laziness > [noun] > lazy person > an idler or loafer > watching fire
wait-gleeda1350
a1350 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 46 Me calleþ me fulle-flet ant waynoun wayteglede.

Draft additions March 2006

waitstaff n. chiefly North American the staff employed as waiters and waitresses in a restaurant (with singular or plural agreement).
ΚΠ
1981 Washington Post 11 Jan. k52 (advt.) We are looking for good people to train for the following positions: Cooks Prep Dishwashers..Waitstaff [etc.].
1994 Minnesota Monthly May 61/2 Desserts and pasta don't always click, but the sharp wait staff seldom misses.
2002 E. J. Ridley in R. R. Sims Changing the Way we manage Change vii.135 Waitstaff were given communications training.

Draft additions December 2013

waiting to happen: (esp. of an undesirable outcome) extremely likely to occur or develop at some point in the future. Cf. an accident waiting to happen at accident n. Phrases 8.
ΚΠ
1913 M. P. Willcocks Will to Live iv. 62 These bare cliffs, these miles and miles of sea, and all sorts of dreadful things waiting to happen.
1964 Pop. Sci. Oct. (title page) Dangerous dams—disasters waiting to happen.
1966 Flying Oct. 48/2 An ancient converted airframe is a midair breakup just waiting to happen.
1998 L. Forbes Bombay Ice (1999) 211 A golden, glittering pair who had it all to start with and added a shiny skin of fame to what they had been given. A dynasty waiting to happen.
2012 Independent 21 Jan. (Mag.) 3/5 A triumph of imagination and engineering or a disaster waiting to happen?
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

† waitv.2

Forms: Also Middle English weyte, waite, wayte.
Origin: Apparently a borrowing from early Scandinavian. Etymon: Norse veita.
Etymology: apparently < Old Norse veita to show or do (kindness, etc.), less frequently to do (an ill turn), = Old High German weizen < Old Germanic type *waitjan , < *wait- ablaut-variant of *wit- : see wit v.1 Confused with wait v.1: see await v. 2.
Obsolete.
transitive.
a. With thing as direct object and dative of person: To show (unkindness) to, to put (disgrace, suffering, etc.) on.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > suffer (adversity or affliction) [verb (transitive)] > inflict (adversity) on or upon
teenOE
wait1303
visita1382
show1483
usurpc1485
prejudge1531
pull1550
apply1558
inflict1594
to put through the mangle1924
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 5987 Þeft he wyl vpon hym wyte, Or ouþer skaþe he wyl hym weyte.
c1330 Arth. & Merl. (Kölbing) 352 Ac ferst þai sworen him an oþ, Þai schuld him neuer waite loþ.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 4051 Þat no burn nere so bold..to waite þe werwolf no maner schaþe.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 148 He..þouȝt..he wold..wayte hire sum wicked torn.
c1400 Rom. Rose 3938 Therfore close I shall the weie Fro hem that..come to wayte me vilonye.
1450 Rolls of Parl. V. 183/2 Ye shall not shewe nor wayte..noo malice..to any persone.
c1450 Erle Tolous 296 Certys hyt were a traytory, For to wayte hym velany.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Matt. iv. 23–5 Sum came for malice with a mynde to wayte displeasure.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. x. lxxiv. 308 The bird Ægithus, (the least in manner of all others) waiteth the Asse a shrewd turne.
b. In similar sense, but with changed construction: To treat (a person) with (unkindness, cruelty, etc.), to affect with (disgrace, suffering, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > harshness > [verb (transitive)]
misbedeOE
wait1303
beshrewc1325
misusea1382
mistreat1453
mishandle1530
misorder1550
mumble1588
maltreat1681
ill-treat1794
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 4186 Whan þys Iudas..weytede Ihesu with tresun.
c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 2175 Meriadok wiþ ille Waited hem ful neiȝe Of her dede.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 7122 For þou art no knyght of armes, Þe more þey wayte þis lond wyþ harmes.
1352 L. Minot Poems i. 64 Ay er þai boune To wait Ingland with sorow and schame.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4330 Sco waited him wit a werr turn.
a1400 Sir Perc. 99 Was noȝte the rede knyghte so rathe For to wayte hym with skathe.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) viii. l. 900 We sall be bundyn ȝow to,..nocht efftyr to wait ȝow with na Ill.
a1500 (?c1400) Sir Triamour (Cambr.) (1937) l. 101 Yf ye be so hardy To wayte me wyth velanye.
15.. Murning Maiden 81 in Maitl. Fol. MS. (S.T.S.) I And heir to ȝow my treuth I plycht That I sall nowder day nor nycht No wyld beist wait with wrang.
1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 916 ‘Sa thriue I’, said the Sarazine, ‘..Quha waitis the Cristin with cair, my cusingis ar thay’.
1581 R. Sempill Complaint vpon Fortoun (single sheet) Did sho not wait him with sic foule Inuy.

Compounds

wait-scathe n. (as a nickname or quasi-proper name) a perpetrator of mischief.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > playful mischievousness > mischievous person > [noun]
wait-scathe1481
wag-pastya1556
mischief1586
rogue1593
devil1600
villain1609
fiend1621
imp1633
sprite1684
torment1785
scapegrace1809
bad hat1877
1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 66 Ther is prentout, wayte scathe, and other of my frendis and alyes.
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Fox & Wolf l. 667 in Poems (1981) 29 Freir Volff Waitskaith.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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