n.
Pronunciation: ' ā k
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Form: 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 ache s for those poor people>
2 : to experience a painful eagerness or yearning <he is aching to go>