See Also:

ail(3) (iou)



ail verb.

verb trans. Trouble, afflict. Chiefly & now only with indef. subj. in what ails etc. OE.
Bible (AV): 1 Samuel 11:5 What aileth the people that they weep? Henry Miller He was supposed to be suffering from ulcers of the stomach, though nobody was quite sure exactly what ailed him.
verb intrans. Be troubled or adversely affected (mentally, obsolete or dial.); be ill. ME.
G. Heyer They never ail, though they did have the measles..when they were small. Times An improvement in the ailing United States economy.
verb trans. impers. in what ails etc. Obstruct, prevent. LME-E19.
ailing noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) an ailment: M19.
ailment noun a disorder, a (usu. slight) illness E18.