Ail \Ail\ ([=a]l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ailed} ([=a]ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Ailing}.] [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. [root]3.] 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.
Note: It is never used to express a specific disease. We do not say, a fever ails him; but, something ails him.
Ail \Ail\, v. i. 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 \Ail\, n. Indisposition or morbid affection. --Pope.