The correct spelling of the phrase "wast conscious of" is actually "was conscious of." The confusion may arise due to the pronunciation of the word "was" in some regional accents, where it can sound like "wast." The IPA transcription of "was" is /wʌz/ and the pronunciation of "conscious" is /ˈkɑːnʃəs/, with the stress on the first syllable. It's important to pay attention to spelling and pronunciation to avoid confusion and misunderstandings.
"Wast conscious of" is an archaic phrase that combines two words: "wast" and "conscious" which were commonly used in Middle English. This phrase can be understood by breaking it down into its individual parts.
The word "wast" is the second person singular form of the verb "to be" in the past tense, commonly used during the Middle English period. It is a contraction of "were" and "thou" (the archaic second person singular pronoun).
The term "conscious" refers to the state of being aware, knowledgeable, or perceptive. It relates to having a mental or internal awareness of something.
When combined, "wast conscious of" implies that in the past, the second person singular (thou) had an awareness or consciousness of something or someone. This construct implies a deliberate focus, perception, or understanding that was present at a specific time in the past.
As an archaic phrase, "wast conscious of" is no longer commonly used in modern English. Its usage can be found in literary works and texts from the Middle English period. In contemporary language, it would be more appropriate to use the modern equivalent phrases such as "you were aware of" or "you knew about" to convey the same meaning.