The word "wert contiguous" is spelled phonetically as /wərt kənˈtɪɡjuəs/. The "wert" portion is a contraction of "were it," indicating that the usage of the word is in the subjunctive mood. "Contiguous" is spelled with a "tig," rather than a more expected "tigw," due to its Latin origins. Although the pronunciation of the word can vary slightly between regions, the spelling remains consistent and clear phonetically, indicating a connected or touching relationship between two or more objects or entities.
"Wert contiguous" is a phrase commonly found in old English literature and is a combination of the archaic verb "wert" and the adjective "contiguous."
The term "wert" is the second person singular form of the past tense of the verb "to be" in archaic English. It is derived from the Old English word "waere" and was predominantly used in the past tense form. It denotes a state of existence, indicating that something or someone existed or was present in the past.
On the other hand, "contiguous" is an adjective that describes things or objects that are in direct contact with each other, sharing a common border or touching without any intervening space. It indicates a close proximity between two entities, emphasizing their physical adjacency and connection.
Therefore, when combined, "wert contiguous" implies that something or someone was in direct contact with, adjacent to, or next to another thing or person in the past. It signifies a historical condition where two entities shared immediate and uninterrupted spatial or structural proximity, without any gaps or interruptions in between.
Although not commonly used in contemporary language, understanding the definition of "wert contiguous" helps in comprehending the meaning of older texts and enhances the overall understanding of the English language's evolution.
The phrase "wert contiguous" does not have a specific etymology, as it appears to be a combination of two separate words and the verb "wert" itself is archaic.
The word "contiguous" comes from the Latin word "contiguus", meaning "touching or neighboring". It entered English in the 17th century.
On the other hand, "wert" is the second person singular past indicative form of the verb "to be" in archaic English, like in the phrase "Thou wert", which means "You were". It is derived from the Old English word "wēre", which evolved to "were" and "wert" in Middle English.
Considering the two words separately, "contiguous" has a clear etymology from Latin, while "wert" is an archaic form of the verb "to be" in Old and Middle English.