The spelling of "was extant" is quite straightforward when you understand the phonetics. "Was" is spelled with a silent "s" and pronounced as /wʌz/. Meanwhile, "extant" is pronounced as /ɪkˈstænt/ with the "x" being pronounced as "ks". The word means still in existence or surviving, despite being very old. Therefore, "was extant" refers to something that was still around during a specific time in the past. These phonetic explanations can help to ensure proper spelling and pronunciation of this phrase.
The term "was extant" refers to an object, document, or piece of information that existed during a specific period of time in the past. It indicates the presence or availability of something at a particular time in history. The word "extant" is derived from the Latin word "extans," meaning "standing out" or "still existing."
When used in reference to a document or written work, "was extant" implies that the text was known to exist and survive at a certain point in the past, even if it may no longer be in existence in the present. It indicates that there is evidence or proof of its existence, such as references, citations, or physical remnants.
The phrase "was extant" is commonly employed in scholarly research, historical accounts, or when discussing ancient texts and artifacts. It acknowledges the fact that the item or information being discussed was accessible and known during a specific time frame, allowing researchers and historians to analyze, study, and draw conclusions based on the text's content.
Furthermore, "was extant" can also be used in a broader context to describe the existence of anything from cultural traditions, buildings, artifacts, or even specific species during a particular era. It signifies that these entities were present, known, and documented during their respective historical periods, contributing to our understanding of the past.
The word "extant" itself comes from the Latin word "extans" (present participle of "extare"), which means "standing out" or "still existing". It is derived from the verb "stare", meaning "to stand".
The phrase "was extant", on the other hand, does not have a specific etymology itself, as it is a combination of the past tense of the verb "to be" ("was") and the adjective "extant". "Was", in this context, derives from Old English "wæs", which evolved from Proto-Germanic "was" and further back to Proto-Indo-European "h₂wes-(s)" (to remain). The adjective "extant" comes directly from Latin as previously mentioned.