noun

ailment

ailment, illness

She suffers from a chronic ailment.

She suffers from a chronic ailment.

Childhood ailments like measles are now rare.

Childhood ailments like measles are now rare.

a/an ((adjective)) ailment - a particular type of illness. He has a minor stomach ailment.

Synonyms: illness, sickness, disorder; Antonyms: health, wellness

From Old English `eglan` 'to trouble, afflict' plus the noun-forming suffix `-ment`. It literally means 'that which troubles'.

Think of something that makes you say 'Ail!' in pain. The '-ment' suffix turns it into a noun for that feeling or condition.

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