adjective / noun
convalescent
kahn-vuh-LESS-unt/kˌɑnvʌlˈɛsʌnt/
Recovering from illness, injury, or medical treatment.
The convalescent man takes a careful assisted walk.
Etymology
Beginning to grow strong becomes a description of someone whose health is returning. Its participial origin fits recovery in progress; the prefix is perhaps intensive, rather than certainly meaning “together” here.
In context
antibodies from recovered covid patients and thousands of patients have been um treated at this point with the convalescent serum
More examples
- The home offered quiet rooms for convalescents.
- She visited her convalescent friend after surgery.
- A nurse supervised the convalescent ward.
Forms
convalescent · convalescents
convalesce verb — recover health after illness
Similar words
- recovering
- Recovering is the usual general term; convalescent specifically concerns regaining health after illness or treatment.
- recuperating
- Recuperating emphasizes restoring strength; convalescent can name the person as well as the condition.