French

Interjection

hélas

1. alas, exclamatory or declarative conjunction expressing affliction, regret, deception or dissatisfaction.
   • 1837 Thomas Carlyle, The French Revolution: A History

     Tough Abbé Maury, when the obscure country Royalist grasps his hand with transport of thanks, answers, rolling his indomitable brazen head: "Hélas, Monsieur, all that I do here is as good as simply nothing."

Etymology 2

See héler.

Verb

hélas

1. second-person singular past historic of héler

Anagrams

• hales, halés, hâles