The spelling of the word "wast racked" is a bit unusual, but it can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. "Wast" is pronounced as /wɑːst/, with the "a" sound like the "a" in "father". "Racked" is pronounced as /rækt/, with the "a" sound like the "a" in "cat" and the "cked" pronounced as a single consonant sound. Together, the phrase is pronounced as /wɑːst rækt/. This would indicate that the "wast" is referring to the "waist" of the body and the "racked" is referring to a state of distress or torment.
"Wast racked" is a phrase from Middle English that can be broken down into two parts: "wast" and "racked."
The term "wast," derived from the Old English word "wæstm," refers to the stomach, abdomen, or the region of the body located between the ribs and hips. In older usage, it was often associated with the area that encompassed the digestive organs. "Wast" can also be understood as the abdomen in general, the body part where the waistline is situated.
The word "racked," originating from the Middle English "rakken," refers to the act of causing extreme pain or torment to someone or something. It can also denote the infliction of suffering or agony, often through physical or mental anguish. In a more literal sense, "racked" can describe the act of stretching or pulling an object intensely, causing great strain or tension.
When combined, "wast racked" can imply a profound state of agony or distress specifically located in the abdominal region. It suggests severe pain or torment, potentially originating from the organs or muscles within the waist area. The phrase is often used in both historical and poetic contexts to evoke the intense physical or emotional suffering experienced by an individual.
The phrase "wast racked" does not have an established etymology as it seems to be a combination of words with different origins.
"Wast" is an archaic form of the word "was", which is the past tense of the verb "to be". Its etymology can be traced back to Old English "wæs" and Middle English "was".
"Rack" has various meanings, and in this context, it could be referring to torment or torture. The word "rack" originated from Old English "hræc", meaning "instrument of torture". It was derived from Old Norse "rekill", which also meant "rack" or "instrument of torture".
Combining these two words, "wast racked" could potentially refer to being tormented or tortured in the past. However, without proper context or source, it is difficult to provide a specific etymology for this specific phrase.