wellaway

[ wel-uh-wey ]

interjection

, Archaic.

1. (used to express sorrow.)

wellaway

/ ˈwɛləˈweɪ /

interjection

1. archaic.
   woe! alas!

Word History and Origins

Origin of wellaway¹

before 900; Middle English we ( i ) lawei, Old English weilāwei ( wei < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse vei woe ), replacing Old English wā lā wā woe! lo! woe!

Word History and Origins

Origin of wellaway¹

Old English, from wei lā wei, variant of wā lā wā, literally: woe! lo woe

Example Sentences

Welladay, wel′a-dā, Wellaway, wel′a-wā, interjs. alas!

From Project Gutenberg

Ah!" cried the prince impassion'd, "Harrow and wellaway!

From Project Gutenberg

Ask them what they ail, or who brought them in this stay, They answer not at all, but "alack!" and "wellaway!"

From Project Gutenberg

Within the house, and at the door, sitting by this same post, Where I was looking a long hour, before these folks came here; But, wellaway, all was in vain, my nee'le is never the near!

From Project Gutenberg

Back, ah, come back! ah wellaway!

From Project Gutenberg