convalesce

[ kon-vuh-les ]

verb (used without object)

, con·va·lesced, con·va·lesc·ing.

1. to recover health and strength after illness; make progress toward recovery of health.

convalesce

/ ˌkɒnvəˈlɛs /

verb

1. intr to recover from illness, injury, or the aftereffects of a surgical operation, esp by resting

Word History and Origins

Origin of convalesce¹

1475–85; < Latin convalēscere to grow fully strong, equivalent to con- con- + valēscere to grow strong ( val ( ēre ) to be well + -escere -esce )

Word History and Origins

Origin of convalesce¹

C15: from Latin convalēscere, from com- (intensive) + valēscere to grow strong, from valēre to be strong

Example Sentences

To convalesce, they stay in this compound, and exercise by walking around its well-ordered clusters of three-story buildings and a synthetic turf avenue with a playground and soccer field.

From Los Angeles Times

Palace hopes that she would be left alone to convalesce were dashed.

From Seattle Times

She will convalesce at home for two to three months, according to her office at the palace, and will not return to official duties until after Easter, which falls on March 31 this year.

From New York Times

Catherine will be hospitalized for 10 to 14 days, according to the couple’s office in Kensington Palace, and will convalesce for two to three months after that.

From New York Times

A volunteer with the group drove the bird to the Tri-State Bird Rescue in Delaware, where the owl continues to convalesce and regain the strength to fly regularly.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• recuperate