Definition of the word was

The word "was" is a form of the Old English verb "wið" (meaning "to be"), which evolved over time through various spelling and pronunciation changes as the English language developed. In Old English, "wiþ" was used to indicate present, past and future tense. As the language evolved, separate words were adopted for different tenses, but "wițan," the past tense form of "wið," remained in use. The Cockney dialect of Middle English introduced a new past tense form, "wort," which eventually gave way to "was." The origin of this change is not entirely clear, but some linguists believe it may have arisen due to dialectical differences between speakers in northern and southern England. The precise route by which "was" became a universally accepted past tense form is also unclear, but it is believed to have become established by the 15th century, at which point it was officially adopted into the standard written form of English. Overall, the evolution of the English language has led to a complex and varied etymology for many of its words, and "was" is no exception, with roots that can be traced back to Anglo-Saxon times.