Dictionary

overwait en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈoʊvɚweɪt/ (US)
• ōʹvər-wāt (US)
• /ˈəʊvəweɪt/ (UK)

Etymology

From over- + wait.

Meanings

1. (uncountable) The period of time one overwaits; an excessive duration of waiting; delay.
   • But they have objected that this word oppresse is incertain; for he may be oppressed with overwait, or hunger and cold. 1912, The English reports:

overwait en · VERB

Pronunciation

• ō'vər-wātʹ (US)
• /ˌoʊvɚˈweɪt/ (US)
• /ˌəʊvəˈweɪt/ (UK)

Etymology

From over- + wait.

Meanings

1. (transitive) To wait for an excessive amount of time; wait beyond the time allowed or expected; wait too long.
   • I didn't waste any time getting to sleep, and the orderly didn't overwait his time, either. I miscalculated on the moon and the depth of our chasm. I expected the moon to appear some time before midnight, but she didn't. 1915, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, The Journal of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute:
   • I'm convinced we behave like this because most of us overwait for times of respite, and then we try to cram a month's peace into two weeks of hectic vacationing. 2000, Jeff Walling, Daring to Dance With God:

Forms