Definition of forlorn

The origin of the word "forlorn" can be traced back to Middle English, during the 14th century. At that time, the word "forloren" was used to describe something that had been lost, abandoned or irrecoverable. The etymology of "forlorn" is a combination of two Old English words - "for" meaning "against" or "from" and "hloren" meaning "to lose" or "to misplace". The phrase "forloren" was first used to mean "miserable" or "wretched" in the 16th century, as an extension of its meaning of being lost or abandoned. The term can be also related to the concept of hope or lack thereof. A forlorn thing or person evokes an image of despair, hopelessness, and abandonment. In literature and poetry, it has been commonly used to describe characters who are in a state of despair or hopelessness, as in Shakespeare's line, "Poor mute, forlorn, and unfriended!" in his play Cymbeline. In modern usage, "forlorn" is still used to denote a feeling of loneliness, hopelessness, or abandonment, as in "the forlorn cry of a lost child in the night" or "a forlorn figure standing in the rain". Its meaning has not changed much over time, as it continues to convey a sense of sadness and despair.