This is the 325th most frequent Italian word.
attesa
The Italian word "attesa" means "waiting" or "expectation" in English.
Here, "attesa" functions as a noun meaning 'wait' or 'waiting period', referring to the time spent expecting the train.
L'attesa per il treno è durata dieci minuti.
The wait for the train lasted ten minutes.
In this sentence, "attesa" is still a noun, denoting a state of expecting something, in this case, the letter, which induces an emotional response.
L'attesa della lettera mi rendeva ansiosa.
Waiting for the letter made me anxious.
Here "attesa" conveys the conclusion of a waiting period and is used descriptionally as a noun in subject position.