headache English · revision 10734

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=c. 1000|origins=ang hēafodece}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈhed.eɪk/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|ang|hēafodece]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) a compound of hēafod, [[head]], and ece, [[ache]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An ache or continuous pain in the head: about 1000.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The colloquial sense, a troublesome or annoying problem, is attested by 1934, at first American.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''Headachy'' is from 1705.^(Etymonline) In country speech the wild poppy was called headache (before 1825), from the effect of its smell.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1000 – hēafodece.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1705 – headachy.^(Etymonline)

+ * before 1825 – the wild poppy (rustic).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1934 – a troublesome problem.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A continuous [[pain]] in the head.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' A troublesome problem or worry.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[headachy]]

+ * [[cluster headache]]

+ * [[sick headache]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[head]]

+ * [[ache]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}