Ailment

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈeɪlmənt/

Definitions

1. A physical or mental condition that causes discomfort or reduced health, typically minor or temporary in nature
2. A health condition that results in physical or mental distress, often characterized by temporary discomfort or mild impairment of well-being
3. A health issue characterized by physical or mental suffering, generally leading to minor discomfort or a temporary decline in wellness

Etymology: Ailment is a plain formation: the verb "ail," meaning to trouble or afflict, with the suffix "-ment" added. "Ail" comes from Old English, where it had the sense of making someone feel unwell or troubled, and it has been part of English for a very long time. The suffix is the more interesting part. "-ment" came into English from Old French, which had taken it from Latin "-mentum," a suffix that turns a verb into a noun naming the result or means of an action. That is why English has many similar pairs, such as "govern" and "government" or "move" and "movement." Combining the two produced a noun for a state of trouble or illness, and "ailment" appears in English in the Middle English period. Over time the word narrowed in tone. It now describes a minor or chronic complaint rather than a serious disease, which is why it sounds gentler than "illness" or "disease."

Synonyms: illness, disorder, condition

Antonyms: health, wellness