Middle English Dictionary Entry
alā̆s interj.
Entry Info
| Forms | alā̆s interj. Also alaas, allaas, al(l)asse, h)elas. |
| Etymology | OF h)a las, helas. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. a interj.
1.
An exclamation expressing grief, pity, shame, apprehension, or the like; alas!; -- (a) simply; (b) with to or for phr.; (c) with noun; (d) with that clause.
Associated quotations
a
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)40b : 'Allas,' seið ure lauerd.
- c1300 SLeg.Magd.(2) (LdMisc 108)358 : Þat folk gradde 'allas, allas' and weopen with heore eye.
- c1300 SLeg.Marg.(Hrl 2277)124 : Allas, hou miȝte eni man for reuþe such dede do?
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)71 : A allas! huet is ous worþ oure pouer worþssippe..and bost?
- a1375 Al oþer loue (Eton 36)25 : Allas! what wole y a Rome?
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.974 : Helas, wifhode is lore In me.
- a1400 Men hem bimenin (Mert 248)17 : Hallas! men planys of litel trwthe.
- a1456(a1426) Lydg.Mum.Hertford (Trin-C R.3.20)24 : He with his rebecke may sing ful offt ellas!
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)305/38 : Alas! hit is shame that evir ye were made knyght.
- c1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Tbr A.7)19368 : He gan to crye..'Out and harow! allas, allas!'
b
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)119.5 : Alas to me; for my dwellynge is proloyngned.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)46/100 : Alas for ruthe, it is pete.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)2a : Allays for sorowe, prodolor, pronephas. Allays for schame, propudor.
- a1500(?a1475) Guy(4) (Cmb Ff.2.38)1140 : Allas..and wele awey For my men, that be spylte.
c
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)2670 : Alas þe deol to þis lond!
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)10008 : Alas alas þulke stounde!
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)658 : Allas..the day that I was born!
- a1456(a1426) Lydg.Mum.Hertford (Trin-C R.3.20)189 : Þey weene of vs to haue ay þe maystrye; Ellas þeos fooles!
- a1475(a1456) Shirley Death Jas.(Add 5467)16 : Ther he must abide, ellas the while!
d
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)1551 : Allas, þat þou ner kniȝt!
- c1330 Le Freine (Auch)95 : Allas..þat y was born!
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2334 : Allas..þat our loue þus luþerly schal departe.
- a1500(?a1475) Guy(4) (Cmb Ff.2.38)203 : Allas, allas, That euyr he borne was!
2.
(a)crien (saien) alas, to express grief or pity; (b) grief as an occasion for crying 'alas'.
Associated quotations
a
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)2661 : Þei soyȝt and sayd alas with mornyng þem amang.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)3487 : To tym þei kneled and cryd alas and turned to god with gud entent.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)5935 : Þat dyd saul oft say alas, when hys blyse was with bale blend.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)120 : Now bihold whether thew ouhtest wel to crye allas, whan thou hast founde me.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)11/362 : [Judas shall] with wepyng sore evyr crye Alas þat evyr he solde oure savyour.
b
- a1475(1450) Death Suffolk (Vsp B.16)233 : Alle your joye and hope is come to alasse.