Pronunciation: [hˈadst nˈiːd] (IPA) 
The word "hadst need" is an archaic form of "had need." It is pronounced as /ˈhædst niːd/ in IPA phonetic transcription. In this spelling, "hadst" represents the second-person singular past tense of "have," meaning "you had." "Need" means "to require" or "to have a need for." This construction was common in Middle English but is rarely used in modern English. Today, we use "needed" or "had a need" instead.
"Hadst need" is an archaic phrase derived from Middle English, specifically from the combination of the verbs "have" and "need," and the second person singular pronoun "thou" in its past tense form "hadst." This phrase is predominantly found in literary works from the Middle English period.
The term "hadst need" refers to the expression of an individual's necessity or requirement for something in the past. "Hadst" functions as an auxiliary verb in the past tense, indicating ownership or possession, while "need" signifies a lack or requirement for something. When combined, the phrase suggests that the mentioned person possessed something or was experiencing a particular situation that necessitated or required something at a prior time.
For instance, a sentence employing this term might be: "Thou hadst need of a helping hand," meaning "You required or were in need of assistance in the past." In this context, it is assumed that the person being referred to had a genuine need for help during a specific period, demonstrating a necessity for external aid or support.
It is important to note that the term "hadst need" is highly archaic and is no longer commonly used in modern English. Its usage persists mainly in historical or literary contexts to convey a sense of history, authenticity, or to emulate the language of particular time periods.
The phrase "hadst need" comes from Middle English.
"Hadst" is the second person singular simple past form of the verb "have" in Middle English. It is derived from the Old English word "haefde", meaning "had".
"Need" comes from the Old English word "neod", meaning "necessity" or "a need".
When combined, "hadst need" means "you had a necessity" or "you were in need". It is an archaic form of expressing that someone required something.
