Convalesce
/ˌkɒnvəˈlɛs/noun
To recover strength or health after an illness or injury.
Did you know?Convalesce comes from Latin convalescere, built on valescere (“to grow strong”), from valere (“to be strong, be well”) — the same ancient root behind words of power, value, and vigor.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wal-
“to be strong, be healthy”
Latin
Latin
valēre
“to be strong, be well, be of worth”
Latin
Latin
convalēscere
“to grow strong, recover health”
Late Latin / Old French
Latin / Old French
convalescere / convalescer
“to regain health, recover”
16th Century
English
convalesce
“to regain health after illness”
Modern English
English
convalesce
“to recover strength or health after illness or injury”
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