The spelling of the word "wert long lived" might seem unusual, but it can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. "Wert" is pronounced /wərt/, with the "e" representing a schwa sound, which is a weak, unstressed vowel. "Long" is pronounced /lɔŋ/, using the "o" to represent the "aw" vowel sound, often found in words like "law" or "all." "Lived" is pronounced /lɪvd/, with the "i" representing a short "ih" sound and the "e" silent. Altogether, the phrase is pronounced /wərt lɔŋ lɪvd/.
"Wert long lived" is an archaic phrase derived from Middle English, which can be broken down into two components, "wert" and "long lived."
The term "wert" is the second person singular past tense of the verb "to be," commonly used in Old English and Middle English. It denotes a state of existence or identity in the past tense, suggesting that someone or something was or had a particular quality at some point in time.
"Long lived," on the other hand, is a descriptive phrase used to denote a person, creature, or thing having a greater-than-average lifespan or enduring for an extended duration. This expression emphasizes the longevity or durability of a subject, suggesting that they have lived or will live for a significant period.
When combined, "wert long lived" can be interpreted as an earlier form of expressing the concept of someone or something having lived for an extended time. It implies that the subject, whether human, animal, or object, had a remarkable life span or an extraordinary ability to endure through time.
This phrase might be found in literature, poetry, or historical texts from the Middle English period, lending an archaic or poetic tone to the description of an individual or object's extended lifespan.