Pronunciation: [wɜː lˈə͡ʊθ] (IPA) 
The phrase "were loath" is often misspelled as "were loathe". The correct spelling, "loath", is pronounced /loʊð/ with the voiced dental fricative sound of "th" rather than the unvoiced sound of "th" in "loathe" (/loʊθ/). The confusion in spelling likely arises from the similarity in sound between the two words. However, it is important to use the correct spelling to ensure accurate communication and avoid errors in written work.
The phrase "were loath" is derived from the verb "to loathe" and carries the meaning of being strongly unwilling or reluctant to do something. It is an expression that conveys a deep sense of aversion, dislike, or detestation towards a particular action, situation, or individual.
The word "were" in this context indicates past tense, implying a historical or past occurrence where the subject was unwilling. The word "loath" used here refers to an intense feeling of disliking or being averse to something, and its inclusion in the phrase emphasizes the vigor and depth of the reluctance being expressed.
When someone is described as "were loath," it suggests that they possessed a profound distaste or repulsion towards a given task or proposition. It conveys a resistance or objection rooted in personal feelings or beliefs, indicating that the individual had strongly negative emotions or disinclination to engage in the specified activity.
For example, if one says "they were loath to attend the meeting," it conveys that the individuals in question had an intense aversion or repugnance towards participating in the meeting, possibly due to various reasons such as boredom, disinterest, or disagreement with the objectives being discussed.
In summary, "were loath" characterizes an intense lack of willingness or desire to engage in a specific task or situation, highlighting a profound aversion or repugnance toward it.
The phrase "were loath" is a combination of the verb "were" and the adjective "loath".
1. The verb "were" is the past tense of the verb "to be", which indicates a state of existence, identity, or condition. It is derived from Old English "wǣron" (past tense plural of "wesan"), which can be traced back to Proto-Germanic "wēzun" and ultimately to Proto-Indo-European "h₁wes-" meaning "to remain".
2. The adjective "loath" means unwilling or reluctant. It comes from Middle English "loth" or "lath", which can be traced back to Old English "lāþ" or "lāþe".
