▪ I. was, n.
(wɒz)
[The pa. tense sing. of be.]
What was; something past.
| 1340 Ayenb. 104 Þanne is he propreliche yclieped: þet art. Vor he is zoþliche..wyþ-oute ende, wyþ-out heaued, wyþ-oute wes, wyþ-out ssel-by. 1390 Gower Conf. III. 357 The thing is torned into was; That which was whilom grene gras Is welked hey at time now. 1581 Sidney Apol. Poetrie (Arb.) 37 Where the Historian in his bare Was, hath many times that which wee call fortune, to ouer-rule the best wisedome. 1876 R. Broughton Joan i. xxx, But if the ‘was’ is hard to face, how much harder the ‘might have been’. 1884 W. S. Gilbert Princess Ida ii, I once was Some one—and the Was Will Be. |
▪ II. was
(wɒz, w(ə)z)
1st and 3rd pers. sing. pa. tense of be v.
▪ III. was
obs. form of whose pron.
▪ IV. was
obs. form of woe is: see woe n.