The phrase "wert unable to lay hands on" is an archaic way of saying "were unable to find" or "couldn't get ahold of." The spelling of "wert" reflects its Old English roots, where "wer" was used as a past tense form of "be." The pronunciation of "wert" is /wɜrt/, with the "w" sound followed by a short "er" vowel and ending with a "t" sound. This spelling is no longer in common use, but can appear in old literature or historical documents.
"Wert unable to lay hands on" is a phrase used to convey the idea of not being able to physically acquire or obtain something that one desires. It can be interpreted as an individual or entity being unsuccessful in their attempt to get hold of an object, person, or any other desired entity.
The word "wert" is an archaic form of the verb "were," which was commonly used in the past to indicate the second and third person singular of the past subjunctive tense in English. In this phrase, "wert" is used to imply a hypothetical or unreal situation.
The phrase "unable to lay hands on" suggests that the person is facing some sort of hindrance or obstacle preventing them from reaching or taking possession of what they seek. It implies a sense of frustration or disappointment at not being able to acquire or obtain something desired.
This phrase can be used metaphorically as well, for example, when someone is describing a situation where they have been trying to accomplish a goal or complete a task, but have been hindered or delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.
In summary, "wert unable to lay hands on" signifies the inability to physically acquire or attain something desired or sought after. It conveys a sense of frustration or disappointment resulting from the obstacle preventing the accomplishment of the intended action.