sb. [The pa. t. sing. of BE.] What was; something past.

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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.

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1390.  Gower, Conf., III. 357. The thing is torned into was; That which was whilom grene gras Is welked hey at time now.

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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.

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1876.  Miss Broughton, Joan, II. I. xxx. 258–9. But if the ‘was’ is hard to face, how much harder the ‘might have been.’

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1884.  W. S. Gilbert, Princess Ida, II. I once was Some one—and the Was Will Be.

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  Was 1st and 3rd pers. sing. pa. t. of BE v.

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