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ache - What does it mean?

Definition of 'ache'

English

Alternative forms

* (obsolete)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) due to the similarity in form and meaning of the two words.

Verb

  • To suffer pain; to be the source of, or be in, pain, especially continued dull pain; to be distressed.
  • * Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet , Act II, Scene V:
    • Fie, how my bones ache!
  • * |chapter=7
    • |title= The Mirror and the Lamp |passage=The turmoil went on—no rest, no peace. […] It was nearly eleven o'clock now, and he strolled out again. In the little fair created by the costers' barrows the evening only seemed beginning; and the naphtha flares made one's eyes ache , the men's voices grated harshly, and the girls' faces saddened one.}}
  • (transitive|literary|rare) To cause someone or something to suffer pain.
    • Derived terms
    * ache for

    See also

    * (l)

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • Continued dull pain, as distinguished from sudden twinges, or spasmodic pain.
  • * Shakespeare, The Tempest , Act I, Scene II:
    • Fill all thy bones with aches .
    Derived terms
    (der-top) * aches and pains * achy * backache * bellyache (der-mid) * earache * headache * stomachache * toothache (der-bottom)

    References

    * Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 5th edition.

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) and modern (etyl) ache, from (etyl) .

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • (obsolete) Parsley.

    • Etymology 3

    Representing the pronunciation of the letter H .

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • (rare) A variant spelling of aitch .

    • Anagrams

    * English heteronyms ---- ==Jèrriais==

    Noun

  • wild celery

    • Synonyms

    * ----

    Similar to 'ache'

    ace, age, axe, awake, awoke, ague, ackee, akee, achee, aggie, ake, aquae, asse, aske, aze, aace, agee, ajee