The spelling of "wast friends" may appear strange to modern readers, but it is actually an archaic form of the phrase "were last friends." In Old English, "wære" (meaning "were") was often contracted to "war" or "wast" in the second person singular. The "s" at the end of "wast" indicates the past tense. The IPA transcription of "wast friends" would be /wɑːst frɛndz/. Although this spelling may be confusing at first, understanding its historical context can provide a deeper appreciation for the evolution of language over time.
"Wast friends" is an archaic expression used in the context of friendship, particularly during the Middle Ages. The phrase can be broken down into two components: "wast" and "friends."
The term "wast" is the second-person singular past tense of the verb "to be," commonly known as "were" in modern English. In this case, "wast" is derived from the Old English word "wǣre," which translates to "were." It is used to refer to someone or something in the past.
On the other hand, "friends" refers to companions or individuals who share a bond of mutual affection, trust, and support. Friends are usually loyal and provide emotional support, companionship, and understanding.
When combined, "wast friends" implies a past form of friendship, suggesting a bond that once existed but is no longer present or has deteriorated over time. The expression conveys a sense of lost or former companionship, suggesting that the individuals referred to were once close friends but have grown apart or experienced a breakdown in their relationship.
While "wast friends" may have been commonly used in ancient literature and historical documents, it has fallen out of common use in modern English. Therefore, it is more frequently found in texts or speech that aims to capture the linguistic and cultural nuances of past eras and may not feature in contemporary conversations.
The phrase "wast friends" is an outdated form of the modern English phrase "were friends". The etymology of this phrase can be broken down as follows:
1. "Were": This is the past tense of the verb "to be" in modern English. It originates from Old English and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic root "*wes-", meaning "to dwell, stay, or remain". Over time, this verb underwent changes in pronunciation and spelling, resulting in the form "were" as the past tense form.
2. "Friends": This word comes from Old English "frēond" which meant "friend, lover, relative, or companion". It is believed to have originated from the Proto-Germanic "*frijōndz", meaning "loving, friendly, or free".