alack and alas

English

Etymology

An idiom combining a pair of terms with similar meaning. The first syllable in each word is like a sigh; las is from Old French meaning weariness; and lack is from Middle English meaning loss.[1]

Interjection

alack and alas

  1. Used to express regret or sadness.

References
  1. Arsen J. Darnay (October 2, 2010), “Alas and Alack”, in Ghulf Genes‎

Anagrams
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