The phrase "wast sickening" may seem confusing at first glance, but it actually follows standard Middle English spelling conventions. The word "wast" is simply an archaic form of "was," while "sickening" accurately reflects the modern pronunciation of the word. In IPA phonetic transcription, "wast" would be represented as /wɑst/ and "sickening" as /ˈsɪkənɪŋ/. So, despite appearances, "wast sickening" is simply an older form of the phrase "was sickening."
There is no specific dictionary definition for the phrase "wast sickening" as it appears to be a combination of archaic language and colloquialism. However, based on the words used, we can infer a potential interpretation.
The term "wast" is an archaic form of the verb "to be" in the second person singular past tense, used in Old English or poetic contexts. "Sickening" is the present participle form of the verb "sicken" which means to cause someone to feel disgusted, disturbed, or repulsed. Therefore, combining these words, "wast sickening" could imply an old-fashioned way of saying "were being sickened" or "were feeling disgusted" in modern English.
In a broader sense, this phrase may be used to describe an overwhelming feeling of repulsion, revulsion, or outrage towards something. It suggests a situation or an act that deeply disturbs or disgusts the individual involved, leading to a sense of emotional and physical discomfort.
It is important to note that this interpretation is speculative, as the phrase "wast sickening" is not typically encountered in contemporary usage. Context and additional information would be necessary to provide a more precise definition.
The phrase "wast sickening" does not have a specific etymology as it is not a stand-alone word or phrase. However, it can be broken down into two parts: "wast" and "sickening".
1. "Wast": This is the archaic second-person singular form of the verb "to be" in the past tense in Middle English. It originated from the Old English word "wǣre", which means "were" or "was".
2. "Sickening": This is the present participle of the verb "to sicken", which means to cause nausea or disgust. It comes from the Old English word "sēocian", meaning "to become ill" or "be sick".