The correct spelling of the phrase "wert convenient" is actually "were't convenient." The apostrophe replaces the missing letters "e" and "n" from the contraction "were not." The "t" at the end of "were't" also indicates that the word was pronounced with a glottal stop in Early Modern English. In IPA phonetic transcription, this would be written as /wərnt/ kənˈviːniənt/. The spelling might seem odd to modern English speakers, but it was common usage in Shakespearean plays and other literature from that era.
"Wert convenient" is an archaic phrase derived from Middle English and Shakespearean English.
The phrase consists of two elements: "wert" and "convenient." "Wert" is the second-person singular past tense form of the verb "to be" in the old English language, primarily used by Shakespeare and other writers of that era. It is the older equivalent of "were" in modern English. Meanwhile, "convenient" is an adjective that describes something as suitable, handy, or easily accessible.
When combined, "wert convenient" signifies a condition or situation where something was appropriate or fitting at a certain time in the past. It refers to a time when something was conveniently or suitably positioned, arranged, or timed. However, it is important to note that this phrase is no longer widely used in contemporary usage, except in the context of literature, historical documents, or theatrical performances aiming to maintain the language's authenticity.
The term may be found in Shakespearean plays and other literary works of the time, where characters or narrators would employ it to denote something that was well-timed, appropriate, or advantageous in a specific context. As such, understanding the meaning of "wert convenient" is crucial for comprehending older texts in which it appears.
The phrase "wert convenient" is not a commonly used phrase, so it does not have a specific etymology. However, each word in the phrase has its own origins:
1. "Wert": It is the second-person singular past tense of the verb "be" in archaic English. Its origin can be traced back to the Old English word "wǣre", meaning "was".
2. "Convenient": The word comes from the Latin word "conveniens", the present participle of "convenire", which means "to come together" or "to be suitable". It entered Middle English through Old French and was originally used with the sense of "meeting together" or "agreeing".
Note that "wert convenient" is not a common phrase in modern usage, and "were convenient" or "would be convenient" are more typical constructions.