ache: [OE] Of the noun ache and the verb ache, the verb came first. In Old English it was acan. From it was formed the noun, æce or ece. For many centuries, the distinction between the two was preserved in their pronunciation: in the verb, the ch was pronounced as it is now, with a /k/ sound, but the noun was pronounced similarly to the letter H, with a /ch/ sound.
It was not until the early 19th century that the noun came regularly to be pronounced the same way as the verb. It is not clear what the ultimate origins of ache are, but related forms do exist in other Germanic languages (Low German āken, for instance, and Middle Dutch akel), and it has been conjectured that there may be some connection with the Old High German exclamation (of pain) ah.
ache (v.)
Old English acan "to ache, suffer pain," from Proto-Germanic *akanan, perhaps from a PIE root *ag-es- "fault, guilt," represented also in Sanskrit and Greek, perhaps imitative of groaning. The verb was pronounced "ake," the noun "ache" (as in speak/speech) but while the noun changed pronunciation to conform to the verb, the spelling of both was changed to ache c. 1700 on a false assumption of a Greek origin (specifically Greek akhos "pain, distress," which is rather a distant relation of awe (n.)). Related: Ached; aching.
ache (n.)
early 15c., æche, from Old English æce, from Proto-Germanic *akiz, from same source as ache (v.).
双语例句
1. If I get another tummy ache, I will wire you to come.
如果我再肚子疼,我会发电报让你来.
来自柯林斯例句
2. The pain, usually a dull ache, gets worse with exercise.
通常不明显的疼痛在运动后会加剧。
来自柯林斯例句
3. My head had begun to ache and my stomach felt funny.
我的头开始疼起来，胃也有些不舒服。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Sharpe'sleg and shoulder began to ache, a sure sign of rain.
夏普的腿和肩膀开始疼痛，这预示着肯定要下雨了。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Poor posture can cause neck ache, headaches and breathing problems.
