Main Entry:

¹ache

Pronunciation:

\ˈāk\

Function:

intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

ached; ach·ing

Etymology:

Middle English aken, from Old English acan

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: to suffer a usually dull persistent pain <an aching back> b: to become distressed or disturbed (as with anxiety or regret) <aching with sadness> c: to feel compassion <my heart aches for those poor people>2: to experience a painful eagerness or yearning <he is aching to go>