Pronunciation: [wɒst pˈʌnɪʃt] (IPA) 
The correct spelling for this word is actually "was punished". The pronunciation may sound like "wast punished" due to the use of an archaic form of the past tense of the verb "be". In IPA phonetic transcription, the correct spelling is /wɒz ˈpʌnɪʃt/. It is important to use the correct spelling and grammar in written communication to avoid confusion and ensure clear understanding of the intended message.
"Wast punished" is a phrase that combines the Middle English verb "wast" (a contraction of "was" and "thou") with the adjective "punished." This phrase is archaic and is no longer commonly used in contemporary English. Each word within the phrase carries its own meaning.
1. Wast: In Middle English, "wast" was the second person singular form of the verb "be" (specifically the past tense). It means "were" in contemporary English. The word "wast" indicates the action or state of being associated with the past, referring to a previous time or historical context.
2. Punished: The adjective "punished" suggests that someone has been subjected to undesirable consequences or penalties as a result of their wrongdoing or transgressions. It signifies a disciplinary action taken against an individual for a perceived offense or violation of established rules or norms.
Therefore, "wast punished" refers to the past state or condition of being disciplined, penalized, or reprimanded for a specific act or behavior. The phrase suggests that at some point in the past, "you were punished" or "you had been punished." The subject is understood to be the second person singular pronoun "thou" or "you," addressing an individual being reprimanded. It conveys the Merriam-Webster dictionary's definition of punishment as "the infliction or imposition of a penalty as retribution for an offense."
The phrase "wast punished" is not a single word but rather a combination of two words: "wast" and "punished". The word "wast" is the second-person singular past tense of the verb "be" in Old English. It corresponds to "were/was" in modern English. The word "punished" is the past participle form of the verb "punish".
The etymology of "wast" can be traced back to the West Germanic language family, specifically the Old English word "wǣre", which meant "were" or "was".
The word "punished" comes from the Middle English word "punischen", which originates from the Old French word "puniss-" or "punir", meaning "to inflict penalty". Ultimately, the Old French word is derived from the Latin word "punire", with the same meaning.
