lament
[luh-ment]
- to feel or express sorrow or regret for: to lament his absence.
- to mourn for or over.
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- to feel, show, or express grief, sorrow, or regret.
- to mourn deeply.
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- an expression of grief or sorrow.
- a formal expression of sorrow or mourning, especially in verse or song; an elegy or dirge.
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Origin of lament
1520–30; (noun) < Latin lāmentum plaint; (v.) < Latin lāmentārī, derivative of lāmentum
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for lament
Contemporary Examples
While many today lament that iPhones and iPads have become almost extra limbs, for Hockney they were a breakthrough for his art.
But by and large, McCain and Kaine didn't so much disagree as lament different topics.
Politics End In Halifax As Democratic and GOP Senators Seek Common Ground on National SecurityTim Mak
November 22, 2014
So go the lyrics of the iconic 1970 Joni Mitchell lament, “Big Yellow Taxi.”
But even if you blame the parties equally, or blame the Democrats more, you should lament this: It harms the United States.
Millions of other Americans will lament they live in cities with strapped budgets that throw piddling BBQs and hand out sparklers.
Historical Examples
"Yes, but something is always happening," she continued in lament.
ThoroughbredsW. A. Fraser
This is the unfortunate story that gave rise to my printed poem, "The Lament."
The Letters of Robert BurnsRobert Burns
Do not lament my fate; I will always be happy while I know you are so.
He would creep in secret to the temple of the god, and lament because he had lost the princess.
The Chinese Fairy BookVarious
Alas, though I myself should be buried in the ruin, why should I apprehend, or why lament it?
ImogenWilliam Godwin
lament
- to feel or express sorrow, remorse, or regret (for or over)
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- an expression of sorrow
- a poem or song in which a death is lamented
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Word Origin
C16: from Latin lāmentum
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for lament
v.
mid-15c., back-formation from lamentation or else from Middle French lamenter "to moan, bewail" (14c.) and directly from Latin lamentari, from lamentum (see lamentation). Related: Lamented; lamenting.
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n.
1590s, from Middle French lament and directly from Latin lamentum (see lamentation).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper