waits

1. A delay.

   I had a very long wait at the airport security check.

2. An ambush.

   They lay in wait for the patrol.

3. One who watches; a watchman.
4. (in the plural) Hautboys, or oboes, played by town musicians.
5. (in the plural) Musicians who sing or play at night or in the early morning, especially at Christmas time; serenaders; musical watchmen. [formerly waites, wayghtes.]

1. To delay movement or action until the arrival or occurrence of; to await. (Now generally superseded by “wait for”.)
2. To delay movement or action until some event or time; to remain neglected or in readiness.

   Wait here until your car arrives.

3. To wait tables; to serve customers in a restaurant or other eating establishment.

   She used to wait down at the Dew Drop Inn.

4. To attend on; to accompany; especially, to attend with ceremony or respect.
5. To attend as a consequence; to follow upon; to accompany.
6. To defer or postpone (especially a meal).

   to wait dinner

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

noun

A group of singers or musicians performing in the streets, especially around Christmas.