The spelling of the word "wert deceitful" may seem confusing at first glance. However, the phonetic transcription using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) can help clarify its pronunciation. The word is pronounced as /wərt dɪˈsifəl/ with emphasis on the second syllable. The "w" is pronounced as /w/ followed by the schwa sound /ə/. The "e" is silent, and the "r" takes a retroflex sound /ɻ/ in American English. Meanwhile, "deceitful" is pronounced as /dɪˈsifəl/ with emphasis on the first syllable.
"Wert deceitful" is a phrase that combines archaic English and moralistic vocabulary, making its interpretation a bit nuanced. "Wert" is the second-person singular past tense of the verb "be" in Middle and Early Modern English. So, "wert" can be understood to mean "were" in contemporary English.
The word "deceitful" is an adjective derived from the noun "deceit," which implies the act of deliberately misleading or tricking someone. When something is described as deceitful, it suggests that it is not trustworthy or honest, and may involve intentionally concealing or distorting the truth for personal gain or to harm others. Therefore, "wert deceitful" can be understood as an archaic way of saying "you were deceptive."
This phrase indicates a moral judgment about someone's behavior in the past––implying that the individual engaged in acts of deceit or dishonesty. It could be used to criticize someone who has intentionally misled others, taken advantage of their trust, or betrayed their confidence. The use of the verb "wert" instead of "were" gives the phrase an old-fashioned or poetic tone.
Overall, "wert deceitful" suggests that an individual was once involved in acts of deception or dishonesty, emphasizing their lack of integrity or trustworthiness in the past.