Pronunciation: [wɒst wˈɒn djˈuːti tuː] (IPA) 
The phrase "wast one duty to" is an old-fashioned way of saying "it was one's duty to." The spelling can be a bit confusing due to the archaic form of "wast" which is a form of the verb "to be". It is pronounced as /wɑːst/ or "wahst." The use of IPA phonetic transcription helps to clarify the pronunciation of this word, which is essential for understanding any archaic or unfamiliar wording.
"‘Wast one duty to’ is an obsolete expression that dates back to the Middle English period and was often used in early Modern English literature, particularly during the Elizabethan era. This archaic phrase can be broken down into two parts for a comprehensive understanding.
The term ‘wast’ derived from the Old English word ‘wæs,’ which means ‘was’ in present tense. It is the second person singular past form of the verb ‘to be.’ ‘Wast’ indicates an action or state of being that occurred in the past.
The word ‘one’ here is an indefinite pronoun that refers to an unspecified person. It is used to generalize an individual or highlight a hypothetical or unidentified subject.
‘Duty’ refers to an obligation or moral responsibility that someone is expected to fulfill. It can be a legal, social, or personal obligation that one is bound to accomplish or adhere to.
Therefore, ‘wast one duty to’ can be interpreted as an archaic manner of expressing a statement or suggestion about a past obligation or responsibility that an unspecified person had to fulfill.
This phrase reflects the linguistic and cultural context of a bygone era and is no longer commonly used in contemporary language and writing.
In summary, ‘wast one duty to’ denotes an antiquated phrasing to describe a past duty or obligation that an unidentified person was expected to fulfill."
