The spelling of "hadst a place" may seem strange, but it is actually an old English construction that means "you had a place." The word "hadst" is the second person singular past tense of "have," and the "st" at the end indicates that it is used for "thou" or "you" in old English. The IPA phonetic transcription for "hadst" is /hædst/. So, "hadst a place" is simply an archaic way of saying "you had a place."
The phrase "hadst a place" is an archaic expression originating from Old English and primarily used in formal or poetic contexts. It is composed of two words: "hadst" and "place."
1. "Hadst": This is an antiquated second person singular form of the verb "have" in the past tense. It is derived from the Old English word "hæfde" and is used to indicate ownership or possession by an individual. In this sense, "hadst" implies the act of having or holding something in the past, specifically referring to an individual as the possessor of the subject.
2. "Place": This word refers to a particular location or position in space, either physical or metaphorical. It can signify a spot or site occupied by someone or something, or it can represent a role, status, or rank held by an individual within a social context. In the context of "hadst a place," "place" implies a position, either literal or figurative, that an individual previously possessed or held.
Together, "hadst a place" suggests a historical or past context where an individual had ownership or possession of a particular location or held a specific role or position. The phrase carries a sense of antiquity and is often found in literature or poetry influenced by Old English or as a deliberate choice for stylistic or artistic purposes.