The correct spelling of the phrase "wast capable of" is actually "wast thou capable of." The word "wast" is a contraction of "thou wast," meaning "you were." The correct spelling of "thou" is no longer commonly used, which may lead to confusion. The IPA phonetic transcription of "wast" is /wɑst/. It's important to pay attention to archaic spellings and usage in order to accurately interpret historic documents and literature.
The phrase "wast capable of" is an archaic version of "were capable of" and conveys the ability or potential to accomplish something. The term "wast" is derived from Middle English and refers to the second-person singular past tense of the verb "to be". Replacing "were" with "wast" in this phrase evokes the use of outdated language.
The term "capable" implies having the necessary skills, competence, or aptitude to achieve a particular task or goal. When used in the context of "wast capable of," it suggests that a person had the ability or capacity to do something in the past.
For example, in the sentence "Thou wast capable of great feats of strength," it indicates that the person being referred to possessed great power or physical prowess at a previous point in time. This phrase emphasizes someone's former capability, emphasizing the notion of what they were once able to achieve.
"Wast capable of" often signifies a recognition of someone's past potential or accomplishments. It can also imply a sense of nostalgia or disappointment for the person no longer possessing the same level of ability or achieving the same feats. Overall, this phrase serves as a reminder of what someone once had the capacity to do, typically highlighting their lost or diminished capability over time.