Pronunciation: [twˈɒz] (IPA) 
The commonly used contraction "twas" is short for "it was." The spelling of this word may seem unusual to some, but it follows the phonetic pronunciation of the two words it represents. "T" represents the consonant sound at the beginning of "it," "w" represents the approximate "wuh" sound that follows the "t," and "as" represents the vowel and consonant sounds in "was." The IPA phonetic transcription for "twas" is /twʌz/.
"Twas" is a contraction or abbreviated form of the phrase "'twas" in the English language, primarily found in poetic or archaic contexts. This contraction represents the elision of the word "it" before the word "was" and is used to mean "it was."
The contraction "'twas" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence or phrase to introduce a past event or state. It implies the occurrence or existence of something in the past and is often used to set the scene or provide background information. For example, "'Twas a cold winter's night" would mean "It was a cold winter's night."
The use of "twas" can add a nostalgic or literary charm to a piece of writing or speech. It is commonly found in older or traditional poetry, songs, and literature, evoking a sense of antiquity and eloquence. While less frequently used in contemporary language, it is still occasionally utilized for poetic effect or to create a specific atmosphere.
It is important to note that "twas" is a nonstandard contraction, found primarily in written or spoken language for artistic purposes. In formal or academic writing, it is advisable to use the complete words "it" and "was" instead of the contraction "'twas."
A contracted form of it was.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
