Pronunciation: [hˈadəst ɐ nˈa͡ɪtme͡ə] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "haddest a nightmare" appears unusual, but it stems from Middle English. In IPA phonetic transcription, it can be written as /ˈhædɪst ə ˈnaɪtmɛə(r)/. "Haddest" is the second-person singular past tense of "have", while "a" means "one" and "nightmare" refers to a frightening dream. This construction is rarely used in modern English, but it is an example of how language can change over time.
"Haddest a nightmare" is an archaic phrase used in Middle English that can be dissected to comprehend its meaning.
The verb "haddest" is the second person singular past tense of the verb "have," which signifies possession or ownership. In this context, it pertains to the act of experiencing or encountering something.
A "nightmare" refers to a distressing and often terrifying dream that occurs during sleep. Nightmares are characterized by feelings of intense fear, anxiety, or distress, often causing an individual to awaken abruptly, feeling shaken or frightened.
Therefore, combining these two components, "haddest a nightmare" denotes an individual's past experience of undergoing a frightful and disconcerting dream during the period of sleep. The use of "haddest" instead of "had" in this phrase is primarily attributed to the usage of the second person singular pronoun, which was common in Old and Middle English.
This phrase is primarily used in historical or literary contexts, specifically when referring to older forms of English. It is important to note that in modern English, the phrase would be expressed as "had a nightmare" or "have had a nightmare" in order to conform to contemporary language usage.
