wirra

American

[wir-uh] / ˈwɪr ə /

interjection

Irish English.

an exclamation of sorrow or lament.

wirra British

/ ˈwɪrə /

interjection

an exclamation of sorrow or deep concern

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of wirra

First recorded in 1830–40, wirra is from Irish A Mhuire! “Mary!,” an appeal to the Virgin

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Warzemarrer wirra light?" repeats Mr. BUMSTEAD, spinning wildly until he brings up against the wall.

From Punchinello, Volume 1, No. 19, August 6, 1870 by Various

"Ah, wirra, wirra!" wailed the cook, wringing his hands.

From Blazed Trail Stories and Stories of the Wild Life by White, Stewart Edward

Oh, wirra, wirra! how will I ever show myself again after this disgrace?'

From Jack Hinton The Guardsman by Lever, Charles James

"Not a fair nor a market-town doesn't know her as well as—Oh, wirra! wirra!"

From Handy Andy, Volume 2 — a Tale of Irish Life by Lover, Samuel

"Oh, wirra, wirra! don't be sayin' it," grumbled the old man.

From Ruth Fielding at Briarwood Hall or Solving the Campus Mystery by Emerson, Alice B.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023