intj. (Irish).—‘An expletive, with no special meaning’ (GROSE); ‘an expletive expressing emotion or excitement, common in Anglo-Irish speech O.E.D.). [Farquhar was of Irish birth.]

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  1705.  FARQUHAR, The Twin Rivals, iii. 2. Teague. ARAH, you Fool, ish it not the saam ting. Ibid. (1707), The Beaux Stratagem., v. 2. ARRA, Honeys, a clear Caase.

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  1753.  SMOLLETT, The Adventures of Ferdinand, Count Fathom, 119. … Upon which he bade me turn out. ARRA, for what? said I.

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  1820.  COMBE, Dr. Syntax, II. ii. 157.

        ARRAH, my Dears, it does confound me
To think how many fell around me.

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