\fur-LORN; for-\, adjective: 1 Sad and lonely because deserted, abandoned, or lost 2 Bereft; forsaken 3 Wretched or pitiful in appearance or condition 4 Almost hopeless; desperate
A forlorn hope or attempt is one that you think has no chance of success. Peasants have left the land in the forlorn hope of finding a better life in cities
forlornness
Hyphenation
for·lorn·ness
Pronunciation
Etymology
[ f&r-'lorn, for- ] (adjective.) before 12th century. Middle English forloren, from Old English, past participle of forlEosan to lose, from for- + lEosan to lose; more at LOSE.