The spelling of the phrase "wast constant" may seem confusing to some due to the archaic language used. However, the IPA phonetic transcription can help clarify its pronunciation. "Wast" is pronounced as /wɑːst/ and is the second person singular past tense of the verb "to be" in the Middle English language. "Constant" is pronounced as /ˈkɒnstənt/ and means unchanging or steadfast. Together, "wast constant" means you were steadfast. It is important to note that this phrase is not commonly used in modern English.
The phrase "wast constant" is not a word with an established etymology since it is a combination of two separate words: "wast" and "constant". However, I can provide the etymology of each word individually.
1. Wast: "Wast" is an archaic second-person singular form of the verb "to be" in Middle English. It derives from the Old English word "wǣre", which meant "thou wast" or "thou wert". The Old English word ultimately comes from the Proto-Germanic word "*wēz" meaning "was". Over time, the verb form evolved into the modern English form "were".
2. Constant: "Constant" comes from the Latin word "constans", which means "steadfast" or "resolute". The Latin term is derived from the verb "constare", meaning "stand firm" or "stand together".