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To watch; to observe; to take notice. [Obs.] "But [unless] ye wait well and be privy, I wot right well, I am but dead," quoth she. Chaucer.

= Wait-a-bit.

Any of several plants bearing thorns or stiff hooked appendages, which catch and tear the clothing, as:

One who, or that which, waits; an attendant; a servant in attendance, esp. at table. The waiters stand in ranks; the yeomen cry, "Make room," as if a duke were passing by. Swift.

a. & n. from Wait, v. In waiting, in attendance; as, lords in waiting. [Eng.] -- Waiting gentlewoman, a woman who waits upon a person of rank. -- Waiting maid, Waiting woman, a maid or woman who waits upon another as a personal servant.

By waiting.

A female waiter or attendant; a waiting maid or waiting woman.

To wait on, serve, or attend. [Obs.]

To wait or watch for; to be on guard against. [Obs.] Chaucer.

A framework on which dishes, food, etc., are passed from one room or story of a house to another; a lift for dishes, etc.; also, a piece of furniture with movable or revolving shelves.

See Landing waiter, under Landing, a.

A lake whitefish; the roundfish. See Roundfish.

The twaite.

A customhouse officer who watches the landing of goods from merchant vessels, in order to secure payment of duties. Swift.

A European shad; -- called also twaite shad. See Shad.

To wait; to pause; to delay. [Obs.] Chaucer.

A lady's waiting-maid. Pepys. Her abigail reported that Mrs. Gutheridge had a set of night curls for sleeping in. Leslie.

Act of waiting; delay. [Obs.] Shak. And with her fled away without abode. Spenser.

An old saying, which has obtained credit by long use; a proverb. Letting "I dare not" wait upon "I would," Like the poor cat i' the adage. Shak.

n a wood, concealed, for the purpose of attacking an enemy by surprise. Hence: A lying in wait, and concealed in any situation, for a like purpose; a snare laid for an enemy; an ambush.