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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