past 2d singular, past plural, or past subjunctive of be
Etymology: Middle English were (suppletive singular past subjunctive & 2d singular past indicative of been to be), weren (suppletive past plural of been ), from Old English w ǣ re (sing. past subjunctive & 2d singular past indicative of wesan to be), w ǣ ron (past plural indicative of wesan ), w ǣ ren (past plural subjunctive of wesan ) ― more at WAS