Mephisto 2459

[greyfox]

Dull pain related to term for festering..(5)

I've got A_ING

[slaney]

Aking ? ..ake is an old form of ache.

[Quizmonster]

It is, indeed, 'aking'. As I pointed out elsewhere yesterday, the explanation - in my view - is that 'akin' = 'related to' and one meaning of 'term ' is 'end'...the end of 'festering' is 'g', ie its final letter. So akin + g for the archaic word 'aking' = dull pain.

[greyfox]

Thanks both. I'm pretty certain you're right, but I think 'term' for 'end' is stretching it somewhat if that was the setter's intention.

[Quizmonster]

'End' is the very first definition for 'term' that Chambers offers! Doesn't seem to be "stretching it" in my book, but what the hey!