By midday, the crowned one, they say, might be painful (6)

I believe the answer is:

aching

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'painful' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for aching that I've seen before include "Sore" , "Causing discomfort" , "Giving continuous pain" , "Continuously sensitive" , "Painful" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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