English
alack
Alack comes from Middle English alacke.
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500alacke
- Englishearliest quotation c. 1595–1596alack
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500alacke
- Englishearliest quotation c. 1595–1596alack
Earliest quotation: c. 1595–1596, William Shakespeare, Loues Labour’s Lost: “On a day, alack the day: / Loue, whoſe…”
Every English word from Middle English alacke
Today it means
intj An expression of sorrow or mourning.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle English alacke / alack