July 18, 2010

To wait

Robert Capa

Dr House

Etymology:
c.1200, "to watch with hostile intent, lie in wait for," from O.N.Fr. waitier "to watch" (Fr. guetter), from Frank. *wahton (cf. Du. wacht "a watching," O.H.G. wahten, Ger. wachten "to watch, to guard;" O.H.G. wahhon "to watch, be awake," O.E. wacian "to be awake").

General sense of "remain in some place" is from late 14c.; meaning "serve as an attendant at a table" is from 1560s. The noun is first attested c.1300


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