"Wert out of breath" is an archaic phrase derived from Early Modern English, commonly understood as "were out of breath" in modern English. It is the past tense form of "wert" (a contraction of "were") and "out of breath," both of which carry individual meanings.
"Wert" is the second-person singular past tense form of the verb "be" in Early Modern English. It indicates a state of existence or presence in the past while addressing or referring to a singular person. For example, "wert thou there?" implies "were you there?" in modern English.
"Out of breath" refers to a state of physical exhaustion or inability to breathe comfortably due to intense physical exertion, such as running, exercising, or engaging in other strenuous activities. It describes a situation where one's breathing becomes rapid, shallow, or labored due to a lack of oxygen or increased demand on the respiratory system. This phrase is often used figuratively as well, to express being mentally or emotionally drained, overwhelmed, or fatigued.
Therefore, "wert out of breath" signifies that a singular person was physically exhausted, panting, or experiencing difficulty breathing due to strenuous activity, or metaphorically, feeling mentally or emotionally drained. The phrase is largely archaic, seen more commonly in historical literature or reenactments, and less in contemporary usage.
