The phrase "were vexed" is spelled using the standard English alphabet, but the pronunciation can be tricky. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is /wɜr ˈvɛkst/. The "w" sound is followed by the "er" sound, which is pronounced with the tongue in the mid-back position. The "v" sound is made with the upper teeth touching the lower lip, and then the "e" sound is pronounced with the tongue in the front of the mouth. Finally, the "kst" sound is made with the back of the tongue touching the soft palate.
"Were vexed" is a phrase used to describe a state of being in which someone or a group of people became irritated, distressed, or troubled by a certain situation or circumstance. The term "were" suggests that the individuals in question were experiencing this vexation in the past. The word "vexed" implies a feeling of annoyance, frustration, or agitation.
Vexation is a negative emotional response to an issue or problem that causes discomfort, unease, or anxiety. It may arise from various factors such as conflict, confrontation, inconvenience, or even a lack of understanding. When someone or a group is vexed, they may exhibit signs of frustration, impatience, or restlessness.
The feeling of being vexed often prompts individuals to seek resolution or relief from the source of their vexation. People may express their vexation through verbal or non-verbal cues, such as sighs, eye-rolling, complaining, or engaging in arguments. The intensity of vexation can vary from mild annoyance to extreme distress, depending on the individual's tolerance and the significance of the situation.
In summary, "were vexed" describes a past state of being in which individuals or a group experienced irritation, distress, or trouble by a particular circumstance, causing them to display signs of annoyance or frustration.
The phrase "were vexed" consists of two words: "were" and "vexed".
The word "were" is the past tense of the verb "to be". It comes from Old English "wæron", which has Germanic origins. The Proto-Germanic root of "were" is *wesanan, which means "to remain" or "to stay". Over the centuries, the spelling and pronunciation evolved, and it eventually became "were" in modern English.
The word "vexed" is an adjective that means irritated, annoyed, or troubled. Its etymology can be traced back to Latin. The Latin word "vexare" means "to agitate" or "to irritate". Through Old French influence, it was adopted into Middle English as "vexen" and then transformed into the modern form "vexed".