Wait to be in the army perhaps (5)

I believe the answer is:

serve

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'wait' is the definition.
(to wait on someone is to serve them)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for serve that I've seen before include "get game started" , "Dish out food" , "Put the ball in play on court" , "Commence play in tennis" , "Start (tennis game)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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