The phrase "wast with you" may seem like an odd combination of words, but it simply means "were with you" in Middle English. The pronunciation of "wast" is /wəst/, with a short "a" sound and a silent "e". The word "with" is pronounced /wɪð/ with a voiced "th" sound. This spelling can be confusing due to the non-standard use of "wast" instead of "were", but it is important to understand the historical context of the phrase to fully grasp its meaning.
"Wast with you" is an archaic phrase derived from Middle English and can be broken down into two main components: "wast" and "with you."
"Wast" comes from the Old English verb "wesan" which means "to be" in its second person singular form. It is the past tense of the verb "to be" and is equivalent to "were" in modern English.
"With you" is a preposition and pronoun combination that indicates association or accompaniment. In this context, "with" implies being in the company or presence of "you," which refers to one or multiple individuals being addressed or spoken to.
Therefore, when combined, the phrase "wast with you" is an obsolete way of saying "were with you" or "were you present" in modern English. It expresses the state of being of a person or persons in the past when associated or accompanied by "you."
It is important to note that this phrase is no longer commonly used in contemporary language and is primarily of historical and literary significance. However, it can still be encountered in the works of Shakespeare, older literature, or in certain regional dialects.