WAST AFRAID Meaning and
Definition
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"Wast afraid" is an archaic phrase that is derived from Middle English, specifically the use of "wast" as the second person singular form of the verb "to be" (were) and "afraid" meaning feeling fear or apprehension.
The phrase can be best defined as an old-fashioned way of expressing fear or being afraid. It conveys a sense of anxiety, trepidation, or nervousness about a particular situation, event, or circumstance. The word "wast" reflects the past tense form of the verb "to be," which means it suggests one's state of being in the past, emphasizing the temporal aspect of the fear experienced by an individual.
It is important to note that the phrase "wast afraid" is rarely used in contemporary English but can be found in texts, stories, or poetry from earlier periods. It signifies an aspect of language evolution and reflects the changes in word usage and sentence structure over time.
In summary, "wast afraid" is an antiquated phrase used in Middle English to convey being fearful or apprehensive. However, its usage has significantly diminished in modern language, and it carries an archaic and poetic connotation today.
Common Misspellings for WAST AFRAID
Etymology of WAST AFRAID
The phrase "wast afraid" is a combination of two words: "wast" and "afraid".
1. "Wast" is the second person singular past tense of the verb "be" in Early Modern English. It is derived from Old English "wǣre", which means "were" or "was". Over time, the verb underwent various changes, including inflectional changes, which resulted in "wast" for the second person singular past tense.
2. "Afraid" comes from the Old English word "āfyrhtan", which means "to terrify" or "cause fear". It derives from the prefix "ā-" (meaning "intense") and "fyrhtan" (meaning "to fear"). The word evolved through Middle English to become "afraid", which signifies being scared or having fear.
