The English language can be tricky, especially when it comes to spelling. The phrase "wast close to" is a great example of this. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be written as /wɑst kləʊs tuː/. The spelling of the word "wast" can be confusing as it is an archaic form of "was". However, in early modern English, the letter "e" was commonly added to the end of certain words. In this case, "wast" is the past tense of "be" with the added "e". So "wast close to" simply means "were close to" in modern English.
"Wast close to" is an idiomatic expression that combines the words "wast" (an archaic form of the verb "was") and "close to" to convey a meaning of being on the brink of something or being near to a particular condition or state. This phrase can be used to describe a situation or feeling that approaches a certain outcome or is almost on the verge of happening.
The use of the archaic word "wast" instead of the modern "was" adds a touch of antiquity and adds poetic flair to the expression. It can be interpreted as a way to emphasize a strong sense of nearness or immediacy to a particular event or feeling.
"Wast close to" often implies that something significant or crucial is about to occur, and it suggests a sense of urgency or anticipation. For example, one might say "It wast close to sunset when we finally reached the mountaintop," indicating that they arrived at the peak just before the sun disappeared below the horizon.
Overall, "wast close to" is a phrase that underlines the proximity or impending nature of a certain condition or event, harking back to an earlier era with its use of archaic language and delivering a poetic quality to the expression.