The spelling of the word "hadst its place" may seem unusual at first glance, but it actually follows the rules of Early Modern English. The word "hadst" is a second person singular past tense form of the verb "have", which was commonly used in Shakespearean plays and other works written during that time period. The pronunciation of "hadst" is /hædst/, where the "a" is pronounced like the "a" in "cat" and the "d" is pronounced as a soft "th" sound.
"Hadst its place" is an archaic phrase that can be broken down into two parts for a comprehensive definition. Firstly, "hadst" is a contraction of "had" and "st," where "had" is the past tense of the verb "have" and "st" is the archaic second-person singular form of the verb "to be" (e.g., thou art, thou hadst). This combination signifies that the subject of the sentence, often the second-person singular pronoun "thou," possessed or owned something in the past. It refers to an action or state that was completed or took place earlier.
On the other hand, "its place" refers to a specific location or position assigned or intended for something. The pronoun "its" is used to denote possession or association linked to a neutral or genderless object. Therefore, "hadst its place" suggests that something or someone previously had a designated or appropriate position or spot. This phrase implies that the subject was once in a suitable or deserving situation, addressing the past placement of an entity.
When combined, "hadst its place" emphasizes the idea of possessing a rightful position or state that was once held in the past. The phrase conveys a sense of lost or changed circumstances, highlighting a former connection, significance, or belonging. However, it is vital to note that this expression is archaic and not commonly used in modern English, residing primarily in historical or literary contexts.