The spelling of "wast humbled" may appear unusual, but it is actually a valid verb conjugation in Early Modern English. The word "wast" is a second person singular past tense form of "be," while "humbled" is the past participle of "humble." In IPA phonetic transcription, the word would be pronounced /wɑst ˈhʌmbəld/. This type of spelling reflects the evolution of language over time, and serves as a reminder of the rich linguistic history behind modern English.
"Wast humbled" can be understood as the past tense verb phrase of "to be humbled." The word "wast" is an archaic form of "were," and "humbled" is the verb form of the adjective "humble."
To be humbled means to experience or undergo a feeling of insignificance, meekness, or modesty in the face of one's ego, achievements, or social status. When one is humbled, they are often brought down to a state of humility or humbleness as a result of a revelation, circumstances, or interactions with others that make them recognize their own limitations, faults, or shortcomings. It implies a realization that one's sense of self-importance has been deflated, leading to a newfound perspective of modesty, lowliness, or a reduced sense of pride.
In the context of "wast humbled," it suggests that the subject, in the past, underwent a humbling experience or was brought to a state of humility. The use of the obsolete verb form "wast" indicates that the action occurred in the second-person singular or third-person singular informal. The exact nature of the humbling experience is not specified in the phrase alone and would need further context to fully grasp the circumstances or situation that led to the humbling effect.
The phrase "wast humbled" is not a single word but a combination of two words: "wast" and "humbled". Here is the etymology of each:
1. Wast: "Wast" is an archaic form of the verb "was", which is the past tense of the verb "to be". It originated from Old English "wǣre" and Middle English "were". The word "wast" is commonly found in older texts but is no longer in common usage.
2. Humbled: The word "humbled" originated from the Latin word "humilis", meaning "low, humble". It was later adopted into Old French as "humble", which eventually entered English. The term "humbled" refers to a state of being made low or having one's pride or ego diminished.