International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
AILal (Anglo-Saxon: eglan, "to pain"): As a verb translation, is "to trouble," "afflict" (obsolete); intrans, "to feel pain, trouble, uneasiness," etc.; it represents Hebrew mah lekha "what to thee" (Genesis 21:17, "What aileth thee, Hagar?"; Judges 18:23 1 Samuel 11:5 2 Samuel 14:5 2 Kings 6:28 Isaiah 22:1); in Psalm 114:5, it is figuratively or poetically applied to the sea, the river Jordan, etc.: "What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest?" etc.; the Revised Version (British and American), "What aileth thee, O thou sea that thou fleest?" etc.; in 2 Esdras 9:42; 10:31, "What aileth thee?"
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) 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.
2. (v. i.) To be affected with pain or uneasiness of any sort; to be ill or indisposed or in trouble.
3. (n.) Indisposition or morbid affection.