The word "at last" is spelled as /ət lʌst/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first sound is the schwa sound represented by the symbol /ə/, which is a short and weak vowel sound. The second and third sounds are the /l/ and /ʌ/ sounds respectively, representing the letters 'l' and 'u' in the word. Finally, the last sound is the /s/ sound represented by the symbol /st/, which is unvoiced and produced by forcing air through a narrow opening between the teeth. Overall, the word "at last" is phonetically simple and easy to pronounce.
"At last" is a commonly used phrase that expresses a sense of relief or satisfaction when something desired or anticipated finally happens or comes to fruition after a period of waiting, frustration, or delay. The phrase conveys a sense of long-awaited culmination or finality.
The term "at last" signifies the moment of reaching the end of a journey, the resolution of a problem, or the achievement of a goal. It often implies a sense of perseverance, endurance, or persistence through obstacles or challenges. It suggests that the waiting or longing for a particular outcome has finally come to an end, and there is a feeling of relief, contentment, or triumph associated with it.
The phrase can be used in various contexts, such as expressing satisfaction with completing a task, achieving success after multiple attempts, or even in personal or emotional situations, where it denotes the relief experienced when a difficult or prolonged situation finally comes to an end.
The expression "at last" is also commonly used to emphasize the importance or significance of an event or moment, especially after a prolonged and arduous journey or waiting period. It reflects the idea of a long-awaited event or outcome finally happening, giving a sense of satisfaction and closure.
The word "at last" consists of two parts: "at" and "last".
The preposition "at" can be traced back to the Old English word "æt", which meant "in", "on", or "near". It evolved from the Germanic root "at" or "ad", ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₂éd.
The word "last" originated from the Old English word "lǣstan" or "lǣstan", which meant "to continue", "to endure", or "to remain". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "lēstijaną", which had the same meaning. This word is also connected to the Old Saxon word "lestan", the Old High German word "leisten", and the Gothic word "laistjan".