The phrase "wast confident of" may appear unusual to modern readers due to its archaic syntax and spelling. In IPA phonetic transcription, this phrase is pronounced as /wɑːst ˈkɒnfɪdənt əv/, with the "a" in "wast" pronounced as a long vowel sound. "Wast" is an archaic form of the verb "was" used in Middle English and early modern English. "Confident" is spelled the same way as in modern English, while "of" is also unchanged. Therefore, the correct spelling of this phrase is "wast confident of."
The phrase "wast confident of" is an archaic construction in the English language that can be broken down into two parts - "wast" and "confident of". "Wast" is the second person singular past tense form of the verb "be" in the English language when used with the pronoun "thou," which was commonly used in older versions of English. "Confident of" means to have full trust, belief, or assurance in something or someone.
Therefore, when combined, "wast confident of" would mean that in the past, and in a context where the pronoun "thou" was used, someone had complete trust, belief, or assurance in someone or something. The phrase indicates a state of conviction or certainty that existed in the past.
It is crucial to note that this phrase is a dated expression, and it may not be commonly used in modern English. Its usage can be primarily found in literature or texts from the past, particularly during the Middle English period or early modern era. Nowadays, the phrase would typically be rendered as "were confident of" or "was confident of" in contemporary English, using the correct verb conjugation with the pronoun "you" or "he/she/it" instead of "thou."