ailing
UK: ˈeɪlɪŋ | US: ˈeɪlɪŋ
adj. suffering from illness or poor health
adj. failing or declining in condition (e.g., economy, organization)
The root "ail" traces back to Old English "eglan," meaning "to trouble, afflict, or suffer." Combined with the suffix "-ing," it forms an adjective describing ongoing suffering or decline. The word’s logic reflects a direct link between physical/mental distress ("ail") and its continuous state ("-ing"), often extended metaphorically to systems or entities in decline.
The ailing patient was admitted to the hospital for urgent care.
Despite treatment, her ailing grandmother showed little improvement.
The company’s ailing finances forced it to lay off employees.
Farmers are concerned about the ailing crops due to drought.
His ailing reputation made it hard to find new investors.