The phrase "wast welcome" is an archaic way of saying "you were welcome" in English. The word "wast" is the archaic second person singular past tense of the verb "be." In modern English, we use "were" instead. The pronunciation of "wast" is /wɑːst/ (wahst) with a long "ah" sound. The word "welcome" is pronounced /ˈwɛlkəm/ (wel-kuhm) with a short "e" sound, as in "bed." While not commonly used in modern English, understanding archaic word spellings can help us understand literature from different time periods.
"Wast welcome" is an idiomatic expression that originated from Middle English, often used in poetic or archaic contexts. The term is a combination of the adjective "wast" and the noun "welcome."
The adjective "wast" is an archaic form of "were" or "was," indicating the past tense of the verb "to be." Meanwhile, "welcome" is a noun referring to a warm or genial reception or greeting. When combined, the phrase "wast welcome" conveys a sense of past welcome or greeting.
This expression is typically used to descrbie a situation or an individual's previous reception that was once warm, pleasant, or well-received, but has since changed or become unfavorable. It implies that the person or thing that was initially welcomed is no longer esteemed or accepted.
For instance, one might say, "In his own land, he was wast welcome, but his return was met with hostility." In this case, the phrase describes how someone who was once embraced in their homeland faced a different and unwelcoming reception upon returning.
Given its archaic nature and limited usage, "wast welcome" may not be commonly encountered in everyday conversation. Instead, it is typically found in historical literature, poetry, or old texts.
The term "wast welcome" does not have a distinct etymology, as it is not a standalone word or phrase. However, it can be deconstructed into two separate words: "wast" and "welcome".
1. Wast: This is the second person singular past tense of the verb "to be" in Middle English. In contemporary English, it would translate to "were" or "was". It is derived from the Old English word "wǣre/wǣron".
2. Welcome: This word originated from the Old English term "wilcuma", which was a combination of "wil-" (meaning "desire" or "pleasure") and "-cuma" (meaning "arrival" or "comer"). Over time, it transformed into "welcome", referring to the greeting or reception of someone with pleasure or kindness.