alack

English

Alternative forms

• alacke (obsolete)
• 'lack (contraction)

Etymology

From Middle English alacke, alagge, probably from ah +‎ lack.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /əˈlæk/
• Rhymes: -æk

Interjection

alack

1. An expression of sorrow or mourning.
   • 1595-96, William Shakespeare, Love's Labour's Lost, Act IV, Scene iii:

     On a day (alack the day!)
     Love, whose month is ever May,
     Spied a blossom passing fair
     Playing in the wanton air.

Synonyms

• alackaday
• alas

Derived terms

• alack and alas
• alas and alack

Translations

expression of sorrow

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 嗚呼／呜呼 (zh) (wūhū), 哀哉 (zh) (āi zāi)

• Finnish: voi (fi)
• French: hélas (fr)
• German: O weh, ach (de)
• Kannada: ಅಯ್ಯೋ (ayyō)
• Russian: увы́ (ru) (uvý)
• Spanish: ay (es)