The phonetic transcription of "wert sullen" is /wərt ˈsʌlən/. This archaic phrase was used to describe someone who was moody, sulky or bad-tempered. The word "wert" is an obsolete form of the word "were," which means "would be." The spelling of "sullen" remains the same, meaning the person's mood was unpleasant and gloomy. The pronunciation of this phrase may differ from region to region, but the spelling remains consistent with its original usage.
"Wert sullen" is an archaic phrase originating from Middle English, combining the verb 'wert' (a contraction of 'thou wert' meaning 'you were') and the adjective 'sullen'. The phrase essentially describes a state of being or feeling that is characterized by silent resentment, ill humor, or a brooding and gloomy disposition.
The term "sullen" itself refers to a melancholic and discontented state of mind, often marked by a refusal to speak, an aloof or withdrawn attitude, and a general lack of enthusiasm or cheerfulness. It implies a person who is sulking, silently expressing their displeasure or resentment without explicitly communicating it. In this context, "wert sullen" suggests that the individual had previously displayed such sullen behavior or is in a continuous state of sullenness.
The phrase might be used in various contexts to describe someone's disposition, demeanor, or attitude. It can imply a sense of somberness, grumpiness, or a deep-rooted dissatisfaction. For example, one could say, "After his team lost the game, he wert sullen the entire evening, refusing to join in any conversation or activities." This would indicate that the person remained in a sulky and moody state throughout the evening following the team's loss.
However, it is important to note that "wert sullen" is considered an outdated expression and is no longer commonly used in modern English.
The phrase "wert sullen" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two separate words, "wert" and "sullen".
"Wert" is an archaic second-person singular past tense form of the verb "be" in Middle English and Old English. It comes from the Old English word "wǣre" meaning "were". This form was used for the second-person singular pronoun "you" in the past tense.
"Sullen" comes from the Middle English word "solein" which means "solitary" or "glum". It originates from the Old English word "sol" meaning "single" or "alone".
Therefore, when combined, "wert sullen" means "you were solitary" or "you were feeling glum" in archaic English.