The phrase "wast employed by" is an archaic way of saying "were employed by". The spelling of "wast" is based on the pronunciation of the past tense of the verb "to be" in Middle English. The IPA phonetic transcription for "wast" is /wɑːst/. This shows that the "a" sound is elongated, and the "s" is pronounced like a soft "z". While this phrase is no longer used in modern English, it provides a glimpse into the evolution of language over time.
The phrase "was employed by" refers to a past-tense expression indicating that an individual or entity was actively engaged in paid work or held a position with a particular employer in the past. It implies that during a specific period, the person or organization was under contract or agreement for services which involved the exchange of skills, knowledge, or labor in return for financial compensation or other benefits.
The term "employed" generally signifies the state of being hired or engaged in an occupation, where one devotes their time and efforts to perform assigned tasks or duties required by an employer. It implies a formal relationship between an individual and an organization, where the individual is subject to the supervision, direction, or control of the employer.
The verb "was" is used to indicate the past tense, suggesting that the action of being employed occurred at some point in the past but may no longer be ongoing or relevant in the present. The inclusion of "by" denotes that the individual or entity was under the authority or had an association with a specific employer, indicating the source or origin of the employment.
Overall, the phrase "was employed by" describes a historical work arrangement in which a person or organization held a position, performed duties, and received compensation from a specific employer within a certain time frame.