The phrase "hadst a notion" is an old-fashioned way of saying "had a thought." The spelling of "hadst" is an archaic form of the second-person singular past tense of "have," meaning "you had." The IPA phonetic transcription of "hadst" is /hædst/, with the "a" being pronounced as a short vowel sound like in "hat." Similarly, the pronunciation of "notion" is /ˈnoʊʃən/, with the "o" being pronounced as a diphthong sound like in "noisy."
"Hadst a notion" is an archaic phrase derived from Middle English that denotes the possession or existence of a particular idea or thought. The term is composed of two components: "hadst," which is the second person singular past tense of the verb "to have," and "a notion," which refers to a belief, understanding, or concept that one holds.
When someone "hadst a notion," it signifies that they had a specific idea or inclination about something. It suggests that the individual possessed a thought or perception, which could range from a fleeting impression to a fully-formed opinion or intention. This expression implies an individual's mental activity, indicating that they held a particular notion within their mind.
Furthermore, the archaic nature of this phrase reflects the historical evolution of the English language. "Hadst a notion" was commonly used during the Elizabethan era and can be found in the works of renowned writers such as William Shakespeare. Though not commonly used in contemporary English, the phrase retains its linguistic significance and highlights the evolution of the English lexicon.
In a nutshell, "hadst a notion" signifies the possession or existence of a particular idea, notion, or thought within an individual's mind.