Talk:wait

Another English definition

Another English definition that doesn't seem to be listed here yet is the public waits ("publick waites"), English wind band musicians from the Medieval and Renaissance period who would walk around the streets of the town in livery playing shawms and other wind instruments, announcing what time it was, and playing tunes for whoever would give them a few pence. Can anyone find sources for this? 71.66.97.228 03:02, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Thanks. I added that and other missing older senses of wait#Noun. DCDuring TALK 18:14, 3 February 2010 (UTC)

Also, what about its usage as an interjection like: "Wait what?" or "Wait, what?" People use it when they weren't really listening (and need the other person/people to hold their thought or what they were saying and repeat what they said before.) It also becomes annoying or people find it annoying if used too often. OjdvQ9fNJWl (talk) 05:03, 21 April 2012 (UTC)

Probably deserves a usage note, but I'd classify that usage as an imperative verb, not an interjection. --Μετάknowledge^{discuss/deeds} 05:07, 21 April 2012 (UTC)

be hoping for something

intransitive verb: to be hoping for something or on the lookout for something
He is waiting for a job opportunity.
Microsoft® Encarta® 2009

--Backinstadiums (talk) 19:02, 6 April 2020 (UTC)

RFD discussion: November–December 2020

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wait

"To remain chaste while one's lover is unavailable."

• Can't see how the "wait for a shag" sense can differ specifically from the "wait for whatever" sense, with context. Darren X. Thorsson (talk) 21:46, 6 November 2020 (UTC)

• Keep -- Dentonius (my politics | talk) 18:12, 8 November 2020 (UTC)
• Add a sense “To remain hungry while one’s dinner is not yet served”. Jokes aside, I think a better definition is: “To remain faithful to one’s partner or betrothed during a prolonged period of absence.” Someone not aware of certain cultural norms might think that a plea like “Promise that you will wait for me”^[1] refers to waiting a couple of minutes for someone dressing up, so that one can leave together.  --Lambiam 22:49, 8 November 2020 (UTC)

• Changed def at entry to that of Lambian's (which was well worded). So, keep for me. - Sonofcawdrey (talk) 21:41, 10 November 2020 (UTC)

RFD kept — Dentonius 10:38, 16 December 2020 (UTC)

Interjection

This seems to be missing an interjection sense, like as in "Wait, what was that" or "Wait, no, that's not right". "Wait what?" is a common phrase. c.f. wait a minute? – Nixinova [‌T|C] 01:56, 30 September 2021 (UTC)