Definition of wait about

The phrase "wait about" originated in the mid-1500s in English and was initially a figurative expression meaning "to hold one's horses" or "to delay one's actions." The exact origin of the word "wait" is uncertain, but it is believed to come from an Old English word "wietan," meaning "to watch" or "to wait." In Old French, it was "gueter" with a similar meaning, and the modern French word for wait is "attendre." The word "about" in "wait about" has a broader definition, and originally meant "completely" or "entirely." It comes from the Old English prefix "ge-, age-, ab," meaning "around" or "about," and was used to indicate various degrees of completeness or fullness. In the context of "wait about," it implies that the main action or event is not yet completely or fully over, and that the subject is requested or instructed to pause or wait for some time. In current usage, "wait about" is less common than "wait" or "wait a minute," and is considered by some to be a archaic or regional expression, particularly in British English. Its continued use today may be due to its historical and literary significance, as it has been used by renowned writers such as Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare.