convalesce

[kon-vuh-les]

verb (used without object)

convalesced, convalescing 

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

Their parents and grandparents convalesced there and sometimes died there, cared for by nurses who were part of the community.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Wadee lost track of his son after he was shot, but found him hours later, by coincidence, in one of a few tents set up near Nasser Hospital for convalescing patients.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Pope was breathing on his own, without oxygen tubes, despite being told by his doctors to spend two months convalescing after 38 days in hospital with double pneumonia.

Read more on BBC

During their tour, they met with the convalescing Pope at the Vatican and enjoyed a state banquet in their honour.

Read more on BBC

And when he suffered a punctured lung against Manchester United on a tour of the States, he convalesced at the Los Angeles home of McElhenney.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• recuperate