"Hadst charge of" is an archaic phrase that originated in Middle English and is characteristic of Early Modern English. The phrase is a combination of the past tense verb "hadst," the second-person singular form of "have," and the noun "charge."
In its dictionary definition, "hadst charge of" signifies the act of having responsibility, control, or authority over something or someone in the past tense. It suggests that the subject referred to had the duty, obligation, or supervision of a specific task, object, or individual in earlier times.
The term "hadst" is derived from the Old English word "hæfde," which means "had" in the second-person singular form. This past tense verb reflects the notion of possessing or being in possession of something. "Charge," on the other hand, refers to a duty, responsibility, or obligation entrusted to someone. It indicates the act of having power or authority to direct or oversee a particular matter.
To elaborate, imagine a scenario in which a captain addressed one of their subordinate officers by saying, "Thou hadst charge of the ship last night." In this case, "hadst charge of" would imply that the officer was responsible for overseeing the ship during a specific period in the past.
Overall, "hadst charge of" is an antiquated phrase that conveys the idea of past responsibility or authority over a particular task, object, or individual.
