n. & v.
n. 1 a continuous or prolonged dull pain. 2 mental distress.
v.intr. 1 suffer from or be the source of an ache (I ached all over; my left leg ached). 2 (foll. by to + infin.) desire greatly (we ached to be at home again). achingly adv.
[ ME f. OE ce, acan ]