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Wailest vs Ailest - What's the difference?

wailest | ailest |

As a verb wailest

is (archaic) (wail).

As an adjective ailest is

(ail).

wailest

English

Verb

(head)
  • (archaic) (wail)

    • wail

    English

    Etymology 1

    Probably from (etyl) Etymology in Webster's Dictionary

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A prolonged cry, usually high-pitched, especially as of grief or anguish.
    • She let out a loud, doleful wail .
  • Any similar sound as of lamentation; a howl.
    • The wail of snow-dark winter winds.
    A bird's wail in the night.
  • A sound made by emergency vehicle sirens, contrasted with "yelp" which is higher-pitched and faster.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To cry out, as in sorrow or anguish.
  • To weep, lament persistently or bitterly.
  • To make a noise like mourning or crying.
    • The wind wailed and the rain streamed down.
  • To lament; to bewail; to grieve over.
    • to wail one's death
    (Shakespeare)
  • (slang, music) To perform with great liveliness and force.
  • *
  • *
  • *
    • Derived terms
    * wailer * wailingly
    References

    Etymology 2

    Compare Icelandic word for "choice".

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To choose; to select.
  • * Henryson
    • Wailed wine and meats
    (Webster 1913) English terms with homophones

    ailest

    English

    Adjective

    (head)
  • (ail)

    • ail

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) (m), (m), from (etyl) .

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • (obsolete) Painful; troublesome.

    • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To cause to suffer; to trouble, afflict. (Now chiefly in interrogative or indefinite constructions.)
    • Have some chicken soup. It's good for what ails you.
  • * Bible, Genesis xxi. 17
    • What aileth thee, Hagar?
  • * 2011 , "Connubial bliss in America", The Economist :
    • Not content with having in 1996 put a Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA) on the statue book, Congress has now begun to hold hearings on a Respect for Marriage Act. Defended, respected: what could possibly ail marriage in America?
  • To be ill; to suffer; to be troubled.
  • * Richardson
    • When he ails ever so little he is so peevish.
    Quotations
    * (English Citations of "ail")

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An ailment; trouble; illness.

    • Etymology 3

    From (etyl) .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The awn of barley or other types of corn.

    • Anagrams

    * * ----