Wait v. i. [imp. & p. p. Waited; p. pr. & vb. n. Waiting.]
 1. 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.
 2. To stay or rest in expectation; to stop or remain stationary till the arrival of some person or event; to rest in patience; to stay; not to depart.
    All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.   --Job xiv. 14.
    They also serve who only stand and wait.   --Milton.
    Haste, my dear father; 't is no time to wait.   --Dryden.
 To wait on or To wait upon. (a) To attend, as a servant; to perform services for; as, to wait on a gentleman; to wait on the table. “Authority and reason on her wait.” --Milton. “I must wait on myself, must I?” --Shak. (b) To attend; to go to see; to visit on business or for ceremony. (c) To follow, as a consequence; to await. “That ruin that waits on such a supine temper.” --Dr. H. More. (d) To look watchfully at; to follow with the eye; to watch. [R.] “It is a point of cunning to wait upon him with whom you speak with your eye.” --Bacon. (e) To attend to; to perform. “Aaron and his sons . . . shall wait on their priest's office.” --Num. iii. 10. (f) Falconry To fly above its master, waiting till game is sprung; -- said of a hawk. --Encyc. Brit.