The spelling of "hadst meal" is a result of Old English grammar rules. "Hadst" is the second person singular past tense of "have," and "meal" is a word still used in modern English. The pronunciation of "hadst" is /hædst/ and "meal" is /miːl/. The word "hadst" is pronounced with a voiceless "t" sound at the end, while "meal" is pronounced with a long 'ee' vowel sound in the middle. Together, the phrase would be pronounced as /ˈhædst miːl/.
The term "hadst meal" refers to an archaic phrase derived from Middle English and Old English, which is no longer commonly used in contemporary English. The term is formed by combining the verb "hadst," the second person singular past tense of "have," and the noun "meal," denoting the act of consuming food. Together, "hadst meal" can be understood as an antiquated expression meaning "you had a meal."
In its original context, "hadst meal" would have been employed as a question or a statement addressed to an individual to determine whether or not they had eaten. It is a vestige of older English grammar, specifically the use of "hadst," which is now obsolete in modern usage but was once a form of the verb "to have" specifically used in the second person singular.
Although the term "hadst meal" is no longer regularly utilized, it serves as a reminder of the historical development of the English language and its linguistic evolution. Familiarity with such outdated expressions can provide insight into the cultural practices, linguistic conventions, and social interactions of bygone eras. Nevertheless, it is essential to note that "hadst meal" is not directly applicable in contemporary language and is better understood as a historical curiosity rather than an actively utilized phrase in modern speech.