The word "didst a bit" is spelled using the standard English spelling system. It consists of two words - "didst" and "a bit". "Didst" is an archaic second-person singular form of the verb "do" and is pronounced /dɪdst/. "A bit" means "a small amount" and is pronounced /ə bɪt/. Together, the phrase means "you did a little" or "you did a bit". While it is not a commonly used phrase today, it was frequently used in Shakespeare's time.
There is no specific dictionary definition for the phrase "didst a bit" as it is not a common phrase or expression in the English language. However, we can break down the meaning of each individual word to help understand its possible meaning.
1. Didst: "Didst" is an archaic form of the verb "do," specifically used as the second person singular past tense of "do" in Early Modern English. It is used to indicate an action or condition that occurred in the past.
2. A: The indefinite article "a" is used to refer to a nonspecific item or quantity.
3. Bit: "Bit" in this context can be a past tense or past participle form of the verb "to bite." However, it is more likely that "bit" is being used as a noun here, meaning a small portion or a short amount of something.
Therefore, the phrase "didst a bit" would mean that someone performed or engaged in some unspecified action for a short period in the past. It could be used in various contexts, depending on the specific conversation or situation where it occurs. Without further context or clarification, it is difficult to provide a more precise definition.