from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Wait \Wait\, n. [OF. waite, guaite, gaite, F. guet watch,
watching, guard, from OHG. wahta. See {Wait}, v. i.]
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1. The act of waiting; a delay; a halt.
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There is a wait of three hours at the border Mexican
town of El Paso. --S. B.
Griffin.
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2. Ambush. "An enemy in wait." --Milton.
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3. One who watches; a watchman. [Obs.]
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4. pl. Hautboys, or oboes, played by town musicians; not used
in the singular. [Obs.] --Halliwell.
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5. pl. Musicians who sing or play at night or in the early
morning, especially at Christmas time; serenaders; musical
watchmen. [Written formerly {wayghtes}.]
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Hark! are the waits abroad? --Beau. & Fl.
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The sound of the waits, rude as may be their
minstrelsy, breaks upon the mild watches of a winter
night with the effect of perfect harmony. --W.
Irving.
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{To lay wait}, to prepare an ambuscade.
{To lie in wait}. See under 4th {Lie}.
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