The spelling of "wast required" follows Early Modern English conventions and is no longer used in Modern English. "Wast" is the second person singular past tense of "be" and "required" means to demand or expect. In IPA phonetic transcription, "wast" is written as /wɑːst/ and "required" as /rɪˈkwaɪəd/. The correct spelling in Modern English would be "were required", using the present tense "are" or the past tense "were" for "be".
"Wast required" is an outdated phrase that is no longer commonly used in modern English. However, its meaning can be inferred by breaking down its components.
The word "wast" is the archaic second-person singular form of the verb "to be" in the past tense. It was used in Middle English and in Early Modern English. In contemporary English, "wast" would be replaced with "were" or "was" depending on the subject.
The word "required" is the past tense form of the verb "to require." It means to demand, ask, or consider something necessary or essential.
Considering these definitions, "wast required" would suggest a requirement or demand that was placed upon someone or something in the past, using the archaic form of "to be" and the past tense of "require." This phrase indicates an obligation or necessity that was expected or desired in a previous period.
It's important to note that this phrase is considered outdated and not typically used in modern English. It may, however, be encountered in literature from older periods.
The phrase "wast required" consists of two words with different etymologies:
1. "Wast" is the archaic second person singular past tense of the verb "be" in Middle English. It comes from the Old English word "wǣre" or "wǣron", which means "were". Over time, the pronunciation and spelling of this verb evolved, eventually becoming "was" and "were" in Modern English. In the phrase "wast required", "wast" refers to "were", indicating a past action.
2. "Required" comes from the Middle English word "requiren", which was adapted from the Old French word "requerre". The Old French term had its origins in the Latin word "requirere", which is a combination of "re-" (meaning "back") and "quaerere" (meaning "to seek").