The phrase "haddest a weakness for" is an older English construction, used in the past tense to express someone's previous tendency towards a particular weakness or vice. The word "haddest" is a contraction of "had" and "didst," indicating second-person singular past tense. The IPA transcription for "haddest" is /ˈhæd.ɪst/. This phrase is not commonly used in modern English, but can still be found in literature and poetry from earlier eras.
"Haddest a weakness for" is an archaic phrase that combines older English syntax and vocabulary. To understand its meaning, it is necessary to break down the phrase.
"Haddest" is the second-person singular past tense of the verb "to have" in Early Modern English. It indicates possession or ownership, showing that someone possessed or experienced something in the past.
"A weakness for" refers to an inclination or tendency to be attracted to or influenced by something despite knowing its negative or potentially harmful effects. It suggests being vulnerable or easily tempted by a particular desire, passion, or indulgence.
When combined, "haddest a weakness for" implies that an individual, in the past, possessed or owned a particular inclination or vulnerability towards something. It implies that the person falls easily into the influence or temptation of that thing, possibly indicating a lack of control or determination to resist it.
Overall, the phrase conveys the idea that the person in question had a historical tendency to succumb to the allure or influence of something despite recognizing its negative impact. It denotes a personal vulnerability or susceptibility to a specific desire, indulgence, weakness, or temptation.