alas

[Dut. helaas; Fr. hélas; Ital. la o.] 1. Applied to one's own case: An exclamation expre ive of sorrow or grief. " Alas , how little from the grave we claim! Thou but preserv'st a form, and I a name."-Pope. 2. Applied to the case of another, or others, or to things: An exclamation expre ive of pity and concern. (Often followed by for .) Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! Ezek , vi, 11. Alas a day , or Alas the day : Ah! unhappy day! "Alas a day! you have ruined my poor mistre ."-Congreve "Alas the day / I never gave him cause." Shakesp. Othello, iii. 4. IMG:content-0328.png:[graphic] As the while Ah! unhappy time! "For pale and wan he was, alas the wh'le!" Spenser .