The phrase "were smitten" means to be struck with a powerful emotion or attraction. The correct spelling of "smitten" is /ˈsmɪtən/. The "s" in "smitten" is pronounced as a voiced alveolar fricative, represented by the symbol /z/. The "i" is pronounced as a short vowel, represented by the symbol /ɪ/. The "t" is pronounced as an unvoiced alveolar stop, represented by the symbol /t/. The "e" is pronounced as a schwa sound, represented by the symbol /ə/. The "n" is pronounced as a voiced alveolar nasal, represented by the symbol /n/.
"Were smitten" is a phrase used to describe the state of being deeply infatuated or captivated by someone or something. The term "smitten" is derived from the verb "smite," which means to strike or hit forcefully. However, in this context, it signifies an intense emotional impact instead of a physical blow. When someone says they were smitten with another person, it suggests that they were completely taken by surprise or overwhelmed by a strong and sudden affection or attraction towards that individual.
The expression conveys a sense of enchantment or fascination and implies a profound sense of admiration or love. It indicates that the person affected by the feeling has been deeply charmed and is often unable to think or focus on anything else but the object of their affection. This enamored state can manifest in various ways, such as daydreaming, feeling butterflies in one's stomach, or experiencing increased emotional sensitivity.
"Were smitten" can also be used to describe an intense fascination or admiration for something non-personal, such as a place, an object, or an idea. In these cases, it suggests a deep appreciation or love for the subject in question. Overall, "were smitten" is a phrase that depicts a powerful and all-encompassing emotional response, signifying a profound and sudden affection or enchantment towards someone or something.
The word "were smitten" is not a standalone word; rather, it is a combination of two words.
"Smitten" is the past participle of the verb "smite". The etymology of "smite" can be traced back to Old English, where it was spelled "smitan". This Old English word itself has Germanic origins, sharing roots with the German word "schmeißen" meaning "to throw" or "to cast".
The word "were" is the past tense of the verb "be", which comes from Old English and has roots in Germanic languages.
So, the combination "were smitten" is a phrase that originated from the Old English language and evolved over time to its current form.