ail Meaning, Definition & Usage

Ail transitive verb

Etymology

OE. eilen, ailen, AS. eglan to trouble, pain; akin to Goth. us-agljan to distress, agls troublesome, irksome, aglo, aglitha, pain, and prob. to E. awe. .

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Ailed present participle & verbal noun Ailing

Definitions

1. To affect with pain or uneasiness, either physical or mental; to trouble; to be the matter with; -- used to express some uneasiness or affection, whose cause is unknown; as, what ails the man? I know not what ails him.

   What aileth thee, Hagar? Gen. xxi. 17.

   ✍ It is never used to express a specific disease. We do not say, a fever ails him; but, something ails him.

Ail intransitive verb

Definitions

1. To be affected with pain or uneasiness of any sort; to be ill or indisposed or in trouble.

   When he ails ever so little . . . he is so peevish. Richardson.

Ail noun

Definitions

1. Indisposition or morbid affection. Pope.