The spelling of the word "hadst doubts" is interesting because it is an archaic form of the phrase "had doubts". This phrase is written in Early Modern English, which has its own set of spelling rules. In IPA phonetic transcription, "hadst" is pronounced as "hædst" (/hædst/), with a short "a" sound and a "t" at the end that is not silent, unlike in modern English. "Doubts" is pronounced as "daʊts" (/daʊts/), with the diphthong "ow" and a silent "b".
"Hadst doubts" is a term that combines two elements: "hadst" serves as the contraction of "hadst," which is an archaic second-person singular form of the verb "to have," and "doubts" represents the plural noun referring to uncertainties or lack of conviction.
The phrase "hadst doubts" implies the presence of ambiguous thoughts or reservations experienced by an individual. It suggests that this person, addressed in the second-person singular ("thou"), possesses or had possessed a state of hesitation, skepticism, or uncertainty about a particular subject, situation, or decision. The use of the archaic verb form "hadst" reflects an older English language style, prevalent during the Middle English era.
The phrase may be interpreted as a prompting to recall a previous state of doubt or hesitation, or it can be used to ask whether someone experienced uncertainty at a given point in time. It emphasizes exploring internal thought processes, reflecting on moments of indecisiveness or questioning, and acknowledging the complexity of personal convictions.
Overall, the term "hadst doubts" illustrates an archaic form of expressing doubts or uncertainties. It is a phrase that evokes reflection on inquiries, reservations, and hesitations that individuals held or may have held in the past.
The phrase "hadst doubts" is a combination of two words: "hadst" and "doubts".
The word "hadst" comes from Middle English and is the second-person singular past tense of the verb "to have" in the indicative mood. It is derived from the Old English word "hæfde", which also means "had".
The word "doubts" comes from the Old French word "doubter", meaning "to doubt". It had its origins in Latin "dubitare", which also means "to doubt" or "to waver".
So, "hadst doubts" can be understood as "you had doubts" or "you were uncertain" in Modern English.