Pronunciation: [dˈɜːst nˈɒt] (IPA) 
The phrase "durst not" is an archaic term meaning "dared not" or "was afraid to." It is spelled with the "u" because it comes from the Old English "durran" which means "to dare." The "u" represents the "ʌ" sound in IPA, which is the same sound as in "up" or "hut." Although this phrase is uncommon in modern English, it can still be found in literature and historical texts.
The word "durst not" is actually a contraction of the phrase "dare not" or "did not dare".
"Dare" comes from the Old English word "darran" or "dearr", meaning "to dare" or "to have the boldness or courage". Over time, the word underwent changes and eventually became "dare" in modern English.
"Not" is a negation or denial word, meaning the opposite of "to do" or "to dare".
Therefore, "durst not" is a combination of "dare" (to have the courage) and "not" (in denial), essentially meaning "did not have the courage to". This construction was commonly used in older forms of English and continues to be seen in various archaic or poetic contexts.
