The phrase "wast gainfully employed" may seem archaic and confusing, but it simply means "you were employed in a productive manner" in Old English. The pronunciation may also seem strange, but can be broken down in IPA phonetic transcription as /wɑst ɡeɪnfəli ɛmˈplɔid/. The "wast" is pronounced like "wust" with a short "u," and "gainfully" is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable. Those familiar with Old English may recognize this phrase from the opening line of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales: "Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote / The droghte of March hath perced to the roote, / And bathed every veyne in swich licour / Of which vertu engendred is the flour; / Whan Zephirus
"Wast gainfully employed" is a phrase that combines archaic and modern language. The term "wast" is an archaic form of the verb "was," which means "to exist" or "to be." "Gainfully" denotes doing something with profit or benefit, particularly in terms of financial gain. "Employed" refers to being engaged in paid work or having a job or occupation. Therefore, "wast gainfully employed" can be defined as a previous state in which an individual was actively and profitably engaged in work or a job.
The phrase implies that the individual was productive, effectively utilizing their skills and abilities, and achieving monetary compensation or other advantages from their employment. It suggests a positive outcome resulting from one's work, such as financial stability, personal growth, or societal contributions.
The use of the word "wast" alludes to an action or situation that occurred in the past, further emphasizing that the individual was once gainfully employed but may not be currently. This phrase may be employed to contrast the past occupation or employment with the present situation, potentially implying unemployment or a less profitable endeavor presently pursued.
In summary, "wast gainfully employed" describes a previous state in which someone actively and advantageously engaged in work, yielding various benefits and outcomes, but is not currently in such a position.