Pronunciation: [wɒst pˌɑːsɪmˈə͡ʊnɪəs] (IPA) 
The term "wast parsimonious" is a combination of the archaic term "wast" (meaning "were not") and the adjective "parsimonious" (meaning "stingy"). The pronunciation of this word is /wɑst pɑr-suh-moh-nee-uhs/. The "w" is silent and the "a" in "parsimonious" is pronounced like "ah." The word is commonly used in literature from the Middle English period and serves as a reminder of how language has evolved over time.
The phrase "wast parsimonious" does not have a specific etymology on its own as it is a combination of two separate words. Here is the etymology of each of the words:
- "Wast" is the archaic second-person singular past tense of the verb "be" in Middle English. It comes from the Old English word "wǣre", meaning "you were".
- "Parsimonious" is an adjective that originated in the late 16th century from the Latin word "parsimonia", meaning "frugality" or "meanness".
Combining these words, "wast parsimonious" could be interpreted as an old-fashioned way of saying "you were frugal" or "you were stingy".
