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WAITING
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
Example:
the wait was an ordeal for him
Synonyms:
wait; waiting
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("waiting" is a kind of...):
inactivity (being inactive; being less active)
Derivation:
wait (stay in one place and anticipate or expect something)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Being and remaining ready and available for use
Example:
military forces ready and waiting
Synonyms:
ready and waiting; waiting
Classified under:
Similar:
ready (completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress)
III. (verb)
Sense 1
-ing form of the verb wait
Context examples:
If your liver fails, your doctor may put you on a waiting list for a liver transplant.
(Liver Transplantation, NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Waiting too long increases the risk of infertility.
(Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)
The device software locked up because two or more processes were waiting for each other to finish.
(Device Software Deadlock Evaluation Result, Food and Drug Administration)
If radiation therapy is part of the treatment plan, your doctor may suggest waiting until after radiation therapy.
(Breast Reconstruction, NIH: National Cancer Institute)
The WHO is also waiting till 2015.
(Health threats caused by mobile phone radiation, EUROPARL TV)
Scientists estimate that about another 250 or so are waiting to be discovered.
(NASA Juno data indicate another possible volcano on Jupiter moon Io, NASA)
Since Mars once had flowing water, scientists say it is possible that similar microorganisms may be waiting there for the next opportunity to continue life.
(Scientists: Life Can Thrive in Most Extreme Environments, George Putic/VOA)
As I was waiting, a man came out of a side room, and at a glance I was sure he must be Long John.
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
Where there is as much more waiting for any brave lad to pick it up.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
“Gentlemen,” said he, “there is a stranger waiting below who desires a fight to a finish with the best men in the room.”
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
