alack
English
Alternative forms
- alacke (obsolete)
- 'lack (contraction)
Etymology
From Middle English alacke, alagge, probably from ah + lack.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /əˈlæk/
Audio (Southern England): (file) - Rhymes: -æk
Interjection
alack
- An expression of sorrow or mourning.
- c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Loues Labour’s Lost”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii], page 133:
- On a day, alack the day: / Loue, whoſe Month is euery May, / Spied a bloſſome paſſing faire, / Playing in the wanton ayre:
- 1843, Edward Bulwer[-]Lytton, The Last of the Barons, London; New York, N.Y.: George Routledge and Sons […], →OCLC:
- Alack, would that Edward listened more to me and less to the queen’s kith! These Woodvilles!