Pronunciation: ˌ we-l ə - ' w ā , ' we-l ə - ˌ
Function: interjection
Etymology: Middle English welaway, from Old English weil ā wei, literally, woe! lo! woe!, alteration of w ā l ā w ā , from w ā woe + l ā lo + w ā woe ― more at WOE
Date: before 12th century
archaic ― used to express sorrow or lamentation