The spelling of the phrase "wert perplexed" may seem unusual to modern English speakers, but it is actually a form of an archaic verb tense used in earlier versions of the language. The word "wert" is the second person singular past tense of the verb "to be," and "perplexed" serves as the adjective describing the state of being confused or puzzled. In IPA phonetic transcription, "wert" would be written as /wɛrt/, and "perplexed" as /pərˈplɛkst/. So, the phrase could be pronounced as /wɛrt pərˈplɛkst/.
"Wert perplexed" is an archaic term that is a combination of two components: "wert" and "perplexed." In early modern English, "wert" is the second person singular form of the verb "to be" in the past tense. It is the archaic equivalent of "were" used with "thou," which was the second person singular pronoun. "Perplexed" is an adjective that describes a state of being confused, puzzled, or uncertain about something. When combined, "wert perplexed" refers to a situation in which the individual addressed (using the informal pronoun "thou") is in a state of confusion or bewilderment.
Used in a sentence, one might say, "Thou wert perplexed by the riddles proposed in the ancient manuscript." In this context, it suggests that the individual was in a state of confusion or uncertainty due to the perplexing nature of the riddles presented in the ancient manuscript.
It is important to note that "wert perplexed" is an old-fashioned phrase that is no longer commonly used in contemporary English. Its usage is mainly found in historical texts, literature, or when attempting to replicate the language and style of the past.