The spelling of the word "wast terrorstricken" may appear confusing, but it can be more easily understood with the help of IPA phonetic transcription. "Wast" is pronounced as /wɑːst/, with the "a" sound sounding like the "a" in "father." "Terrorstricken" is pronounced as /ˈterərˌstrɪkən/, with a stress on the first syllable and a schwa sound in the second. The "c" in "stricken" is pronounced as a "k" sound. Therefore, the word means being filled with terror or fear.