waifish.html - n.
1 a homeless and helpless person, esp. an abandoned child.
2 an ownerless object or animal, a thing cast up by or drifting in the sea or brought by an unknown agency.

waifs and strays 1 homeless or neglected children.
2 odds and ends.

waifish adj. [ME f. AF waif, weif, ONF gaif, prob. of Scand. orig.]

waifish.html - See: LIE IN WAIT.

waifish.html - {v. phr.} To serve food. * /Mrs. Lake had to teach her new maid to wait on table properly./ * /The girls earn spending money by waiting at table in the school dining rooms./

waifish.html - {v. phr.} To serve in every possible way; do everything for (someone). * /Sally is spoiled because her mother waits on her hand and foot./ * /The gentlemen had a valet to wait on him hand and foot./ Compare: HAND AND FOOT.

waifish.html - See: WAIT AT TABLE.

waifish.html - {v. phr.} To not go to bed until a person one is worried about comes home (said by parents and marriage partners). * /My mother always waited up for me when I went out as a young student./ * /She always waits up for her husband when he's out late./