la
nouninterjectioninterjectionadjectivenounnounparticleparticlecommon in dialogue
- //lɑː//
- //lɑː˥//
A syllable used in solfège to represent the sixth note of a major scale.
noun
- 1
A syllable used in solfège to represent the sixth note of a major scale.
- 2
A syllable used in solfège to represent the sixth note of a major scale. Sometimes syllable for both the third and the sixth.
Etymology
From Glover's solmization, from Middle English la (“sixth degree or note of Guido of Arezzo's hexachordal scales”), Italian la in the solmization of Guido of Arezzo, from the first syllable of Latin labiī (“lip's”) in the lyrics of the scale-ascending hymn Ut queant laxis by Paulus Deacon.
interjection
- 1
Represents the sound of music or singing.
"La la la la, I can't hear you!" Jimmy said, sticking his fingers in his ears.
The only part Lucy had to sing was the interlude, which was a bunch of la la la's, and the last verse of the song, which was only four lines, and the chorus, which was just as short.
Etymology
Sound used to form meaningless song refrains. Of imitative origin. Compare Old English lā (a common exclamation), Ancient Greek λαλαγε (lalage, “babble”), German lallen (“to babble”).
interjection
- 1
obsoleteUsed to introduce a statement with emphatic or intensive effect.
- 2
archaicExpressing surprise, anger. etc.
La, ma'am, what doth your la'ship think? the girl that your la'ship saw at church on Sunday, whom you thought so handsome; though you would not have thought her so handsome neither, if you had seen her nearer, but to be sure she hath been carried before the justice for being big with child.
“Oh, la! here come the Richardsons. I had a vast deal more to say to you, but I must not stay away from them any longer.”
"La, William, don't be so highty-tighty with us. We're not men. We can't fight you," Miss Jane said.
Etymology
From Middle English la, from Old English lā. More at lo.
adjective
- 1
Prefixed to the name of a woman, with ironic effect (as though an opera prima donna).
Following lukewarm on the heels of an article a few weeks ago, where (I paraphrase due to having filed the relevant copy in the recycling bin) Victoria Beckham made a "well-meaning" remark that the other Spice Girls might want to lose a few pounds, we now have a new incidence of La Beckham's scintillating and entirely well-meaning humour.
By judicious leaking, he also managed to make la Kirkpatrick and her associates look rather unsavory.
(You have to wonder where la Wintour finds the time for all this styling: maybe it's a displacement activity to fill the void left by her failure to get the Democratic party into power?)
Etymology
From French la, Italian la.
noun
- 1
lad, kid
Etymology
Possibly a shortened form of lad.
noun
- 1
Variant of laneAbbreviation of lane
Etymology
Abbreviation.
particle
- 1
Placed at the end of a sentence in imperatives making it sound more like a request than an order.
Sleep la!
Eat shit la you!
- 2
Used to tone down comments.
ok la
Etymology
From Cantonese 啦 (laa¹). Doublet of lah.
particle
- 1
Variant of lahAlternative form of lah.
Forms
- plural
- las
la · A syllable used in solfège to represent the sixth note of a major scale.
La · A surnamela-la · Of indifferent quality; so-so.lab · A laboratory.