The correct spelling of the phrase "haddest sneaking suspicion" can be tricky. "Haddest" is the old English second person singular past tense form of "have," while "sneaking" is straightforward. "Suspicion" has a silent "p," and the "c" is pronounced like an "s." The IPA transcription for the word would be /ˈhædəst ˈsnikɪŋ səˈspɪʃən/. Despite its complicated spelling, the phrase simply means "you had a feeling something was wrong."
The phrase "haddest sneaking suspicion" is an informal and archaic expression that combines older forms of English language. Here is a 200-word dictionary definition of the phrase:
"Haddest sneaking suspicion" is an idiomatic phrase that originated from Middle English and is primarily used in archaic or poetic contexts. The term "haddest" is a verb form derived from the Old English word "habban," which means "to possess" or "to have." It represents the second person singular past tense form of the verb.
The term "sneaking" here refers to something done in a secretive or furtive manner. It describes a suspicion that is not openly expressed or acknowledged, but secretly held. Often, it implies an unconfirmed belief or intuition about a particular situation or individual.
The phrase "haddest sneaking suspicion" therefore signifies that the speaker possessed a hidden or secret belief or feeling about something or someone in the past. It suggests a level of suspicion that is not fully proven or substantiated.
In contemporary English, this expression is rarely used, as the verb form "haddest" and the notion of a "sneaking suspicion" are outdated. However, in older literature or poetry, it may be encountered, evoking a sense of antiquity or formal language.