I. fə(r)ˈlȯ(ə)rn, -ȯ(ə)n adjective
( often -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English forloren, forlorn (past participle of forlesen, forleosen to lose), from Old English forloren, past participle of forlēosan to lose (akin to Old Saxon farliosan to lose, Old High German furliosan, Gothic fraliusan ), from for- + lēosan to lose — more at lose
1. obsolete : lost , astray :
a. : morally abandoned
b. : ruined, doomed
2.
a. : forsaken , destitute , bereft — usually used postpositively and with of
a person forlorn of hope
b. : deserted and desolate : sad and lonely especially by reason of emptiness or abandonment
a forlorn huddle of sagging buildings
3.
a. : being in poor condition : miserable , disordered , bedraggled , wretched
a few forlorn chickens scratched about the muddy yard
never did I see such a forlorn woebegone face
b. : pathetic or pitiable especially as indicative of loneliness, distress, or sorrow
a forlorn cry
forlorn hungry-looking waifs
4. : having but the barest plausibility or promise : nearly hopeless
one final forlorn attempt to reach the sinking ship in time to rescue the crew
Synonyms: see alone , despondent
II. noun
( -s )
1. archaic : one who is forlorn
2. obsolete
a. : a forlorn hope or a member of one
b. : vanguard