WAIT

I. verb see: wake Date: 14th century transitive verb to stay in place in expectation of ; a~ , to delay serving (a meal), to serve as ~er for , intransitive verb 1. to remain stationary in readiness or expectation , to pause for another to catch up, 2. to look forward expectantly , to hold back expectantly , to serve at meals, 4. to be ready and available , to remain temporarily neglected or unrealized , Usage: American dialectologists have evidence showing ~ on (sense 3) to be more a Southern than a Northern form in speech. Handbook writers universally denigrate ~ on and prescribe ~ for in writing. Our evidence from printed sources does not show a regional preference; it does show that the handbooks' advice is not based on current usage . One reason for the continuing use of ~ on may lie in its being able to suggest protracted or irritating ~s better than ~ for . Wait on is less common than ~ for, but if it seems natural, there is no reason to avoid it. II. noun Etymology: Middle English ~e watchman, observation, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wahta watch Date: 14th century 1. a hidden or concealed position, a state or attitude of watchfulness and expectancy , 2. one of a band of public musicians in England employed to play for processions or public entertainments, b. one of a group who serenade for gratuities especially at the Christmas season, a piece of music by such a group, an act or period of ~ing