Pronunciation: [wˈɜːt fɔː] (IPA) 
The word "wert for" is an archaic phrase meaning "were for". In Old English, the spelling of this word was "wǣre" with a long vowel sound. Over time, the pronunciation of the word changed, leading to its present spelling. The IPA phonetic transcription of "wert for" is /wɜːrt fɔːr/, where the symbol "ɜː" represents the long vowel sound of "were" and "fɔːr" is pronounced with an "o" sound as in "lore".
"wert for" is a phrase that can be traced back to Middle English. It is a combination of the past tense form of the verb "to be," "wert," and the preposition "for." The word "wert" is derived from the past tense of the archaic second person singular form of "to be" in English, which was used with the pronoun "thou."
"Wert for" has a meaning that signifies a condition or state of existence that was intended or expected for someone or something. It is an expression primarily associated with hypotheses, conjectures, or suppositions that question the intended or beneficial outcome of a situation.
The phrase is often used in a rhetorical manner to introduce an imagined or hypothetical scenario. It suggests a sense of speculation or contemplation about possible scenarios or outcomes. It adds a touch of uncertainty or wonder to the hypothetical situation being discussed.
For example, a sentence containing the phrase could be constructed as follows: "If the weather wasn't so rainy, thou wert for a pleasant walk in the park."
In this case, the phrase "wert for" indicates that under different circumstances (specifically, if the weather were better), the person being addressed could have enjoyed a pleasant walk in the park. However, due to the current condition of the weather, this desired outcome is uncertain or unattainable.
Overall, "wert for" is an archaic phrase that conveys a sense of speculation, unexpected conditions, or unfulfilled expectations regarding a particular situation or outcome.
The phrase wert for is actually a contraction of were it not for.
The etymology of were in this context can be traced back to Old English, where it was used to indicate a conditional or subjunctive form of the verb to be. The phrase were it not for implies a hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situation.
The word for has Old English roots as well, and it essentially indicates the reason or cause for something.
Overall, the etymology of the phrase wert for can be understood as the combination of Old English words were (conditional form of 'to be') and for (indicating reason), ultimately meaning if it were not for or without.
