Pronunciation: [wɒst ðˈe͡ə] (IPA) 
The correct spelling for the phrase "wast there" is actually "wast thou there." The word "wast" is an archaic second-person singular form of the verb "to be" in the past tense. It is pronounced as /wɑst/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The use of "thou" as a subject pronoun is also archaic and is pronounced as /ðaʊ/. Therefore, the correct spelling for the full phrase would be "wast thou there" pronounced as /wɑst ðaʊ ðɛr/.
"Wast there" is an archaic expression that finds its origins in Old English and Middle English. The term consists of two components, "wast" and "there," both of which have specific meanings within the context of this phrase.
"Wast" is the second-person singular past tense of the verb "be," which indicates a state of existence or identity. It is used to refer to the action of being in the past, specifically when addressing or talking about someone informally or familiarly.
"There," in this case, denotes a location or place. It can refer to a specific physical or abstract position or situation.
When combined, "wast there" is an archaic way of saying "were you there" or "did you exist in that location or situation." It is a phrase commonly found in older texts or works of literature, particularly those composed before or during the Middle English period.
For instance, in the sentence "Wast there when the battle raged?", the phrase "wast there" inquires whether someone was present or existed during the time the battle was taking place.
The phrase "wast there" appears to be a contraction of the words "wast" and "there", that together form a phrase in Middle English. Here is a breakdown of the etymology of each component:
1. Wast: In Middle English, "wast" is the second-person singular past tense of the verb "to be". It is derived from the Old English word "wǣre" which had the same meaning. Over time, "wǣre" transformed into "were" in Middle English, and eventually became "was" in Modern English. "Wast" is the archaic form of "was", specifically used in reference to the second-person singular pronoun, i.e., "you".
2. There: The word "there" comes from the Old English word "þǣr" which means "at that place" or "in that place".
