n. archaic or literary 1 affliction; bitter grief; distress. 2 (in pl.) calamities, troubles. 3 joc. problems (told me a tale of woe). woe betide there will be unfortunate consequences for (woe betide you if you are late). woe is me an exclamation of distress.
[ OE wa, w f. Gmc, a natural exclam. of lament ]