The spelling of the word "wast in place of" may seem confusing, but it follows the rules of Middle English. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be pronounced as /wɑst ɪn pleɪs ʌv/. "Wast" is the second person singular past tense of the verb "to be," and "in place of" means "instead of." This phrase was commonly used in Middle English literature, and although it may seem archaic today, it adds a unique charm to the language.