1. (v. i.) To watch; to observe; to take notice.

2. (v. i.) 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.

3. (v. t.) To stay for; to rest or remain stationary in expectation of; to await; as, to wait orders.

4. (v. t.) To attend as a consequence; to follow upon; to accompany; to await.

5. (v. t.) To attend on; to accompany; especially, to attend with ceremony or respect.

6. (v. t.) To cause to wait; to defer; to postpone; -- said of a meal; as, to wait dinner.

7. (n.) The act of waiting; a delay; a halt.

8. (v. i.) Ambush.

9. (n.) One who watches; a watchman.

10. (v. i.) Hautboys, or oboes, played by town musicians; not used in the singular.

11. (v. i.) Musicians who sing or play at night or in the early morning, especially at Christmas time; serenaders; musical watchmen.