"waiter"

...now specif., a man who waits at table esp. a public table, as at an inn, restaurant etc. ...

WAITER
My 1950s edition of WEBSTER'S NEW INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY of the English language, an unabridged second edition defines "waiter" as:

1) A watcher, watchmen; also, a spy; waylayer.

2) One who waits; a) One who waits for or awaits something.

b) One who pays his respect to another in a formal call, or by formal attendance upon him.

c) -obs.-

d) An attendant; a servant in attendance, as, formerly, a man who did household work; now specif., a man who waits at table esp. a public table, as at an inn, restaurant etc.

3) An attendant of a bride or groom at a wedding.

4) A vessel or tray on which something is carried, as dishes etc.; a salver.

5) London Stock Exchange. A uniformed official attending on the exchange.

6) Mining. = waiter-on (British)

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04/01/11