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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