[An adverb] expressing complaint.
Sophocles [writes]: "[Deianeira:] Alas, what tale have you brought, child? - [Hyllus:] One bound to be fulfilled; for who could undo what has been seen?".[1]
And Aristophanes [writes]: "alas, unlucky man". In respect of those yearning to achieve their freedom; for the Athenians, having previously had a hard time in other sea-battles, won the sea-battle at Arginusae with slaves as their allies; and these they freed. So [Xanthias] is alluding to this in jest: if I had fought in the sea-battle I would have been set free.[2]
"And Euripides from the Bellerophon: 'alas! But why alas? We have suffered the lot of mortals'."[3]
"Alas, it is bad to anger a sick man, but who could endure someone with visions like these?".[4]