I. a ‧ las 1 /əˈlæs/ BrE AmE adverb [sentence adverb] formal
used when mentioning a fact that you wish was not true:
Donald, alas, died last year.
II. alas 2 BrE AmE interjection literary
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: a 'ah' + las 'tired' ]
used to express sadness, shame, or fear