Ail v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ailed p. pr. & vb. n. Ailing.] 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.