The phrase "wast extant" is an archaic form of "was extant." The spelling of "extant" has remained the same over time, but the use of "wast" as the past tense of "was" has become obsolete. In IPA phonetic transcription, "wast" is pronounced as /wɑst/, while "extant" is pronounced as /ɪkˈstænt/. Although it may not be commonly used in contemporary language, "wast extant" can still be encountered in historical texts and literature.
"Wast extant" is an outdated term that no longer has common usage in the English language. However, by breaking down the phrase and examining the individual words, we can provide a 200-word dictionary definition:
"Wast" was a second person singular form of the verb "to be" used in Middle English, which originated from the Old English word "wǣre". It is an archaic form of the verb "was", commonly used between the 12th and 17th centuries. It denotes the past tense singular form of "to be" in relation to "you".
"Extant" is an adjective derived from Latin, specifically from "extans" meaning "standing out" or "protruding". It refers to something that still exists or is still in existence, particularly in written or physical form. It describes an object or work that has survived over time, despite being ancient or rare.
Therefore, "wast extant" would have meant something like "you were still in existence" or "you existed at some point in the past". This phrase could have been used in a historical or literary context to describe the presence or existence of a person or object, potentially conveying a sense of surprise or astonishment at its continued survival. However, it is important to note that this phrase is largely obsolete and not commonly used in contemporary English.
The phrase "wast extant" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two words: "wast" and "extant".
1. "Wast": This is the archaic second person singular form of the verb "be" in Middle English. It comes from the Old English word "wǣre/wǣs", which means "you were" or "you wast".
2. "Extant": This word comes from Latin "extans/extant-" which means "standing out" or "existing". It is the present participle of the verb "existere", which combines "ex-" (out) and "sistere" (stand).
When "wast" and "extant" are combined, the phrase "wast extant" implies something or someone that was in existence or available in the past.