WAITING AROUND Meaning and
Definition
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Waiting around refers to the act of remaining in a particular place or state of inaction, typically with the expectation or hope that something will happen or occur. It is characterized by the absence of purposeful or productive activity, instead involving idle and passive waiting.
When someone is waiting around, it means they are in a state of anticipation or standby, often without any clear indication of when or if the desired event or outcome will transpire. This state of waiting can be fueled by various factors, including the anticipation of an appointment, an opportunity, or a specific event to occur.
Waiting around can also imply a lack of agency or control over one's circumstances and a dependence on external factors or individuals. It can be associated with feelings of frustration, impatience, and uncertainty as time seems to pass slowly, and the desired outcome remains indefinite.
The phrase "waiting around" is commonly used in informal contexts to describe situations where individuals are idly passing time, usually without any immediate purpose or activity. It can evoke a sense of aimlessness or unproductivity, implying that one is not actively engaged in meaningful tasks or actions but rather filling time until something of interest or importance occurs.
Common Misspellings for WAITING AROUND
Etymology of WAITING AROUND
The phrase "waiting around" is a compound verb phrase that combines the verb "waiting" with the preposition "around". The etymology of the individual words is as follows:
1. Waiting: The word "waiting" originates from the Old North French word "waitier", meaning "to watch, to lie in wait". It further evolved from the Old French word "gaitier", which meant "to watch, guard, or observe". The Old North French "waitier" and the Old French "gaitier" can be traced back to the Old High German word "wahta", meaning "a guard" or "to guard". The English word "wait" emerged from the Middle English "waiten", retaining the original sense of observing, looking out for something, or staying in readiness.
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