ail /eɪl/ verb → ale1 what ails something formal the thing or things that are causing difficulties for something 困扰某事的事 This initiative is not the answer to what ails our educational system. 这一新方案并不能解决我们教育体制的弊病。
2. [intransitiveI, transitiveT] old-fashioned to be ill, or to make someone feel ill or unhappy (使)得病;(使)难受,(使)痛苦