Pronunciation: [wɒz ɪɹˈɛkt] (IPA) 
The spelling of the phrase "was erect" can be explained using the IPA phonetic transcription system. "Was" is spelled with the consonant sound /w/ and the short vowel sound /ɑ/, which makes the sound /wɑz/. "Erect" is spelled with the consonant sound /ɹ/ and the diphthong vowel sound /ɛər/, which makes the sound /ɪˈrɛkt/. Altogether, "was erect" is pronounced as /wɑz ɪˈrɛkt/, with the stress on the second syllable of "erect."
The phrase "was erect" refers to the state or condition in which an object or body part, particularly the male sexual organ known as the penis, is positioned or aligned perpendicular to the ground or in an upright manner. The term is commonly used to describe the physiological phenomenon of penile erection or firmness in a person's genital region.
When an individual experiences sexual arousal or stimulation, the parasympathetic nervous system triggers the relaxation of smooth muscles in the penis, allowing blood vessels to dilate and blood flow to increase in the region. This enhanced blood flow engorges the erectile tissues of the penis, causing it to enlarge, stiffen, and stand upright. This state of penile erection is often associated with sexual excitement or readiness for sexual intercourse.
The phrase "was erect" can also be used metaphorically to describe objects or structures that are standing straight, rigid, or upright in a non-sexual context. For example, it can be used to describe a building, a flagpole, or a soldier at attention standing in a vertical position without leaning or tilting. It denotes the erect posture of an object or body part in a perpendicular or upright manner, signifying stability, readiness, or firmness.
The phrase "was erect" consists of the verb "was" and the adjective "erect".
The word "was" is the past tense of the verb "to be", which has its roots in Old English and Germanic languages. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word *wesaną.
The word "erect" has Latin origins. It comes from the Latin verb "erigere", meaning "to set up" or "to raise". "Erigere" is a combination of "e-" (which denotes "out") and "regere" (meaning "to guide" or "to direct"). In Middle English, "erect" itself was used as a verb meaning "to set up" or "to construct". Over time, it also began to be used as an adjective to describe something in an upright position.
