The spelling of "wert charge" may seem confusing at first glance, but it can be easily explained with phonetic transcription. The word "wert" is pronounced /wərt/ in IPA, with a short "u" sound and a schwa sound at the end. "Charge" is pronounced /tʃɑrdʒ/, with a "ch" sound and a hard "g" sound at the end. Together, "wert charge" means a fee or cost that must be paid according to the value of something. Despite its unusual spelling, this term is still used in legal and financial contexts.
"Wert charge" is an archaic variation of the phrase "wert thou charged," where "wert" is the second-person singular past tense of the verb "be" and "charge" refers to giving someone a specific task or responsibility. This phrase can be interpreted as a command or instruction given to an individual in the past.
The term "wert charge" has its roots in Middle English and was commonly used during the medieval era. In this context, "wert charge" could be found in various literary works, ballads, or historic texts. It is important to recognize that its usage has largely fallen out of everyday modern English.
The phrase indicates that someone was given a specific duty or obligation. It implies that the person addressed had been entrusted with a task or responsibility. For example, if someone were given a command like "wert charge with guarding the fortress," it would mean that the individual was assigned as the guardian or protector of the fortress.
The inclusion of "wert" in the phrase is an archaic form of the verb "were," which refers to the second-person singular past tense of "be." This older form of the word may seem unfamiliar to modern readers, as it has been replaced with "were" or "was."
Overall, "wert charge" is an outdated phrase that means being tasked or entrusted with a specific duty or responsibility in the past.