waitˈ-a-bit noun (also often adjective)

A name given to various plants, esp S African (Afrikaans wag-'n-bietjie /vuhhˈə(n)-bē-kē/), with thorns that catch the clothing of passers-by

waitˈ-a-while noun

1. A wait-a-bit
2. An Australian wattle growing in dense thickets

waiting list or wait list noun

A list of people waiting, eg candidates awaiting a vacancy, etc

waitˈing-maid or waitˈing-woman noun (archaic)

A female attendant

waiting room noun

A room for the use of people waiting

waitˈing-vassal noun (obsolete)

An attendant

wait list see waiting list above.

waitˈ-list transitive verb

To add the name of (a person) to a waiting list, esp for a seat on an aircraft

wait-on see wait on below.

waitˈperson noun (US)

A waiter or waitress

wait state noun (computing)

The period of time that a microprocessor must wait while fetching data from a slower memory

lay wait (archaic)

To lie in wait

lie in wait

To be in hiding ready to attack or surprise (lit and figurative)

lords in waiting

Certain officers in the Lord Chamberlain's department of the royal household

minority waiter (Sheridan)

Meaning uncertain (perh a waiter, or a tidewaiter, out of employment)

play a waiting game

To avoid action as far as possible in the hope of having an opportunity later to use one's energies with maximum effect

wait attendance (Shakespeare)

To remain in attendance

wait for it! (informal)

An expression injected into a narrative to prepare listeners for something impressive

wait off (racing)

To allow oneself to be temporarily outdistanced by other competitors, reserving one's energies for the final stretch

wait on

1. To wait for (informal)
2. To continue to wait (Scot)
3. To be patient or wait (Aust and NZ)
4. See wait upon below
5. (of a hawk) to circle or hover in the air above the falconer's head (falconry; waitˈ-on noun)

wait table

To wait at table during a meal

wait up

1. To stay out of bed waiting (with for)
2. To slow down or wait (US)

wait upon or on

1. To call on, visit formally
2. To accompany
3. To attend and serve
4. To be connected with or follow as a consequence
5. To carry out the duties of (an office) (Bible)
6. To gaze at, keep under observation (obsolete)

you wait! (informal)

An expression of warning