"Wert bold" is an old-fashioned way of phrasing "were bold". The spelling may seem unusual, but it was simply a reflection of the way people pronounced the words in the past. In IPA phonetic transcription, "wert bold" would be written /wɜːrt bəʊld/. The "e" in "wert" is pronounced like the "er" in "herd", while the "o" in "bold" is pronounced like the "o" in "open". It's interesting to see how language evolves over time, and how spellings can change to reflect that evolution.
I couldn't find a specific definition for the phrase "wert bold" in any standard dictionary. However, breaking down the elements of the phrase might help to provide some context.
"Wert" is an archaic form of the verb "to be" in the second person singular past tense. It was commonly used in Early Modern English, including the works of William Shakespeare, to denote the past tense of "you are." In modern English, "wert" is no longer in common usage.
"Bold" is an adjective that means to be fearless, courageous, or confident. It is often used to describe someone who is willing to take risks, speak up, or act in a manner that exhibits a sense of bravery. Boldness is typically associated with showing courage in difficult or challenging situations.
Therefore, combining the two elements, "wert bold" might suggest that someone in the past was courageous, fearless, or daring in their actions or demeanor.
It's important to note that without any specific context, it could be challenging to fully interpret the intended meaning of the phrase "wert bold." The context provided might significantly alter the interpretation.
The phrase "wert bold" is a combination of two Old English words: "wert" and "bold". Here is the etymology of both words:
1. "Wert": "Wert" is a contraction of the Old English word "were", which means "was" or "were". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "wesaną", meaning "to be". This contraction was commonly used in Middle English and Early Modern English.
2. "Bold": The word "bold" can be traced back to the Old English word "beald", which means "bold" or "brave". It originated from the Proto-Germanic word "baldaz", which has the same meaning. This term has remained relatively unchanged in English and is still used to describe someone who is daring or courageous.