I. əˈwāt, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English awaiten, from Old North French awaitier, from a- (from Latin ad- ) + waitier to watch — more at wait
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to watch for especially with hostile intent : lie in wait for
your ill-meaning politician lords … appointed to await me thirty spies — John Milton
2. : to wait for : stay for
you must await the sequel — Walter de la Mare
had decided to await me in the mountains — D.L.Busk
3. : to be in store for : be ready or in waiting for
a lavish Sunday dinner awaiting them — Ellen Glasgow
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : to wait on someone : attend
on whom three hundred gold-capped youths await — Alexander Pope
2. : to stay or be in waiting : wait
the people awaited outside the building
3. : to be in store
marched … north to civilization where fame and forturne awaited — Tom Marvel
Synonyms: see expect
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old North French, from awaitier
obsolete : a lying in wait or watching for with hostile intent : ambush