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ACHING
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain
Synonyms:
ache; aching
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Hypernyms ("aching" is a kind of...):
hurting; pain (a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "aching"):
odontalgia; toothache (an ache localized in or around a tooth)
backache (an ache localized in the back)
cephalalgia; head ache; headache (pain in the head caused by dilation of cerebral arteries or muscle contractions or a reaction to drugs)
bellyache; gastralgia; stomach ache; stomachache (an ache localized in the stomach or abdominal region)
earache; otalgia (an ache localized in the middle or inner ear)
Derivation:
ache (feel physical pain)
ache (be the source of pain)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Causing a dull and steady pain
Example:
her old achy joints
Synonyms:
aching; achy
Classified under:
Similar:
painful (causing physical or psychological pain)
III. (verb)
Sense 1
-ing form of the verb ache
Context examples:
You ought to hear it, and I've been aching to tell it this long time.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
It was so precious to me that I look back on these trifles, now, with an aching heart.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
There was a long spell of silence, a big, aching void, and then from the Professor a keen "S-s-s-s!"
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
The solitary candle was held between himself and the paper, without any reference to her possible convenience; but she had nothing to do, and was glad to have the light screened from her aching head, as she sat in bewildered, broken, sorrowful contemplation.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
Her sister's earnest, though gentle persuasion, however, soon softened her to compliance, and Elinor saw her lay her aching head on the pillow, and as she hoped, in a way to get some quiet rest before she left her.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
He did not mind his aching head, nor did he take interest in his work.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
My back was aching sorely, and I felt extremely tired and hungry.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
"That's easy enough, and I like the idea, I'm aching for something to do, that is, some new amusement, you know," added Jo quickly.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
In my aching head the one thought was throbbing that there really was truth in this man's story, that it was of tremendous consequence, and that it would work up into inconceivable copy for the Gazette when I could obtain permission to use it.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Fanny naturally turned upstairs, and took her guest to the apartment which was now always fit for comfortable use; opening the door, however, with a most aching heart, and feeling that she had a more distressing scene before her than ever that spot had yet witnessed.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
