To wait for something or someone; to expect or be ready for a future event. To be in store for someone in the future.
From Old French 'awaiter,' composed of 'a-' (to, toward) and 'waitier' (to watch, guard). Related to 'wait' from Germanic roots meaning 'to watch' or 'be wakeful.' The word originally implied active watching rather than passive waiting, reflecting the vigilant nature of medieval guards.
Unlike the word 'wait,' which can be used alone, 'await' always requires a direct object - you can't just 'await,' you must await something specific. This grammatical quirk reflects the word's more formal, literary tone and its sense of anticipation for something definite rather than indefinite waiting.
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