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alas

interjection

  1. sadly
L15857 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /əˈlæs/ / /əˈlɑːs/ / /ɘˈlɛs/

intj

Etymology: From Middle English alas, from Old French a las (French hélas), from a (“ah”) + las, from Latin lassus (“weary”). Compare Dutch helaas, North Frisian ielas, West Frisian eilaas.

  1. Used to express sorrow, regret, compassion, grief, resignation, or disappointment.

    “I wanted to catch the last bus home, but alas, I was ten minutes late and had to take a taxi instead.”

    “Helas I lamente the dull abuſyd brayne The enfatuate fantaſies the wytles wylfulnes Of on and hothyr at me that haue dyſdayne”

noun

Etymology: From Yakut алаас (alaas).

  1. A type of geological depression which occurs in Yakutia, formed by the subsidence of permafrost.

    “Alternative forms: alass, alaas”