The phrase "hadst a try" is an archaic form of "had a try," meaning to attempt something. The phonetic transcription of "hadst" is /hædst/, with the "d" sound being pronounced as a voiced dental fricative rather than a hard stop. This spelling reflects the Middle English pronunciation of the word, which evolved over time to the modern form of "had." Overall, "hadst a try" is a linguistic relic that provides an interesting glimpse into the history of the English language.
"Hadst a try" is an archaic phrase derived from Middle English, which combines the verb "have" in the past tense second-person singular form "hadst," and the noun "try." The phrase is primarily associated with older forms of English literature, particularly from the Elizabethan era.
In terms of definition, "hadst a try" conveys the notion of attempting or making an effort to do something, with a specific focus on past actions carried out by an individual. The inclusion of "hadst" indicates that the attempt or effort being referred to occurred in the past. Furthermore, the word "try" implies an act of testing, striving, or endeavoring to achieve a particular objective, often in the face of uncertainty or difficulty.
The phrase implies that the person being referred to, in the second-person singular form, has made an attempt at something before the present moment. It can suggest that the individual has already given an effort to accomplish a task or reach a goal, but the outcome or success of that attempt is not explicitly stated. Instead, the phrase emphasizes the act of trying itself rather than the final result.
Overall, "hadst a try" denotes a historical variant of the phrase "had a try," conveying the idea of having made an endeavor or effort in the past.