WAIT (3)

Wait, n. [[OF. waite, guaite, gaite, F. guet watch, watching, guard, from OHG. wahta. See Wait, v. i.]] 1. 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. 2. Ambush. “An enemy in wait.” Milton.
3. 3. One who watches; a watchman.
4. 4. pl. Hautboys, or oboes, played by town musicians; not used in the singular. Halliwell.
5. 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.