Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Wait \Wait\, n. [OF. waite, guaite, gaite, F. guet watch,
   watching, guard, from OHG. wahta. See {Wait}, v. i.]
   1. The act of waiting; a delay; a halt.

            There is a wait of three hours at the border Mexican
            town of El Paso.                      --S. B.
                                                  Griffin.

   2. Ambush. ``An enemy in wait.'' --Milton.

   3. One who watches; a watchman. [Obs.]

   4. pl. Hautboys, or oboes, played by town musicians; not used
      in the singular. [Obs.] --Halliwell.

   5. pl. Musicians who sing or play at night or in the early
      morning, especially at Christmas time; serenaders; musical
      watchmen. [Written formerly {wayghtes}.]

            Hark! are the waits abroad?           --Beau & Fl.

            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.

   {To lay wait}, to prepare an ambuscade.

   {To lie in wait}. See under 4th {Lie}.