alas
interjection
- sadly
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.
- 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).
- A type of geological depression which occurs in Yakutia, formed by the subsidence of permafrost.
“Alternative forms: alass, alaas”