ˈwād.ə(r), -ātə- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from waiten to wait + -er
1.
a. archaic : one that watches (as at a city gate) : watchman , guard
b. Britain : a customs official — compare landwaiter
2. : one that waits or attends upon another: as
a. obsolete : a lord-in-waiting or lady-in-waiting
b. dialect South : an attendant of the bride or groom at a wedding
c. archaic : manservant
d. : waiting maid
e. : a uniformed official attendant on the London stock exchange
f. : a man who waits on table (as in a hotel or restaurant) — compare counterman
3. : a vessel or tray on which something (as a breakfast or tea service) is carried : salver
bringing a waiter laden with all he could desire — B.A.Williams