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• rest cure
  rest cure

  noun

  a treatment for nervous disorders, consisting of a complete rest, usually combined with systematic diet, massage, etc., especially at a spa or sanitorium.
• rest-cure
  rest-cure

  noun

  a rest taken as part of a course of medical treatment, as for stress, anxiety, etc

rest cure

American  

noun

1. a treatment for nervous disorders, consisting of a complete rest, usually combined with systematic diet, massage, etc., especially at a spa or sanitorium.

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rest-cure British  

noun

1. a rest taken as part of a course of medical treatment, as for stress, anxiety, etc

2. an easy undemanding time or assignment: usually used with a negative

   it's no rest-cure, I can assure you

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Etymology

Origin of rest cure

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

We do still see some evidence of that "rest cure" in how we care for the elderly, because it's easier on the caregiving system for them to be quiet, and inactive.

From Salon • Sep. 9, 2023

Indeed Sir Henry Tudor, who had been 'chief of police' in Ireland before taking a senior position in the Palestine mandate, said it was "a rest cure after Ireland" for the former RIC men.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2022

For a while, she leaves them, and her job, for an old-fashioned rest cure at an Alpine spa.

From New York Times • Dec. 9, 2021

“You will get tired, and your bones will cry aloud for a rest cure; but I promise you one thing — you will never be bored,” Massey wrote.

From Washington Post • Apr. 16, 2015

Plainly, a way had to be found to enforce a rest cure.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik