ail

Definition

To cause to suffer; to trouble, afflict. (Now chiefly in interrogative or indefinite constructions.)

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English eilen, from Old English eġlan, eġlian (“to trouble, afflict”), from Proto-West Germanic *aglijan, from Proto-Germanic *aglijaną (“to trouble, vex”), cognate with Gothic 𐌰𐌲𐌻𐌾𐌰𐌽 (agljan, “to distress”).

Example Sentences

• "Have some chicken soup. It's good for what ails you."
• "What aileth thee, Hagar?"
• "Not content with having in 1996 put a Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA) on the statue book, Congress has now begun to hold hearings on a Respect for Marriage Act. Defended, respected: what could possibly ail marriage in America?"