Pronunciation: [wɜːɹ ɐvˈɛnd͡ʒd] (IPA) 
The word "were avenged" is spelled using /wɜːr/ and /əˈvɛndʒd/. The first part of the word, "were," is pronounced with a long "u" sound and an "r" at the end. The second part, "avenged," is pronounced with a schwa sound followed by the "v" sound, the "eh" vowel sound, the "n" sound, the "j" sound, and the "d" sound at the end. This phrase means that a person or group has been retaliated against for a previous wrong.
"Were avenged" is a passive past tense construction, representing the completion of an act of vengeance or reprisal that was carried out in response to a perceived wrongdoing or harm. The term consists of two main elements:
"Were": This is the past tense form of the verb "to be," indicating that the subject of the sentence was in a state of having taken revenge in the past. It is used to refer to the act of avenging.
"Avenged": This is the simple past tense form of the verb "to avenge," which means to inflict punishment or retribution on someone in response to a perceived injustice or harm suffered. When someone or something is avenged, it means that the act of vengeance has been successfully executed, thus balancing the scales of justice or seeking redress for a previous offense.
Together, "were avenged" signifies that the act of taking revenge has already been carried out or completed. It suggests that the individual or group that suffered harm or loss has achieved a sense of vindication or satisfaction by inflicting harm or punishment upon the perpetrator of the initial transgression. This phrase carries a connotation of justice being served and resolution being achieved.
The word "were avenged" is a combination of two separate words: "were" and "avenged". Let's look at the etymology of each word individually:
1. "Were": This is the past tense of the verb "to be" in the second-person singular and plural, past indicative and subjunctive. It originally comes from the Old English word "wǣron", which shares a common Germanic root with other Germanic languages like German "waren". Its Indo-European origin can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root *bʰuH- meaning "to become, grow, exist".
2. "Avenged": This is the past participle of the verb "to avenge", which means to take revenge or seek retribution on behalf of oneself or someone else.
