[for.lorn] adj [ME forloren, fr. OE, pp. of forleosan to lose, fr. for- + leosan to lose--more at lose] (bef. 12c) 1 a: bereft, forsaken "left quite ~ of hope" b: sad and lonely because of isolation or desertion: desolate
2: being in poor condition: miserable, wretched "~ tumbledown buildings"
3: nearly hopeless "a ~ attempt" syn see alone -- for.lorn.ly adv -- for.lorn.ness n