means the act of staying in place or delaying action until something happens or someone arrives.

from From Old English (and Old North French) roots tied to watching and guarding — the same family that gives us 'watch' and 'wake.' Originally to 'wait' meant to keep vigilant lookout, to lie in wait; over centuries the alert sentry softened into the bored passenger, but the bones of the word still mean to keep eyes open while time passes.