The phrase "hadst recourse to" is an archaic form of English that is rarely used today. The spelling of "hadst" is pronounced as "hædst" in IPA phonetic transcription, which reflects the Middle English pronunciation. The sound "dst" is represented by the letter "st" and is pronounced as a voiceless alveolar affricate. "Recourse," on the other hand, is pronounced as "rɪˈkɔːs" in IPA phonetic transcription, with the stress on the second syllable. The phrase itself means "had to resort to," indicating a need to resort to something for help or support.
"Hadst recourse to" is a phrase that can be analyzed by breaking down its constituent parts. "Hadst" is the archaic second-person singular form of the verb "have" in the past tense, indicating an action or possession that is completed or occurred before the present moment. "Recourse" refers to the act of turning to someone or something for assistance, support, or guidance in a difficult situation. It implies seeking help or finding solace from someone or something when faced with a problem or challenge. The term "to" denotes the direction or purpose of an action, indicating the target or aim towards which something is directed or used.
Therefore, "hadst recourse to" can be defined as the action of individuals who, in the past, sought assistance, support, or guidance from someone or something. This phrase conveys that they relied on the aid or advice of another person or entity to offer a solution, remedy, or resolution to a particular problem, difficulty, or dilemma. The usage of "hadst" shows that this seeking of recourse happened in the past, prior to the present time. It suggests that the individuals involved needed external assistance, intervening or looking to someone for help in a situation where they lacked the means or knowledge to resolve their issue independently.