wait

wait · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens.

  2. 2.

    To be delayed or await something.

  3. 3.

    To serve food and drinks to people, especially in a restaurant.

  4. 4.

    A period of waiting.

Related words

Antonyms: go, leave, rush
See also: await, expect, patience, stay
Synonyms: await, hold on, remain, stay

Etymology

From Old North French "waitier" meaning "to watch, guard," from Frankish "wahton" meaning "to watch, guard," from Proto-Germanic "wahtaz" meaning "guard, watch." The sense shifted from "to watch, guard" to "to remain in expectation" in Middle English.