convalesce

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

convalesce
    v 1: get over an illness or shock; "The patient is recuperating"
         [syn: {recuperate}, {recover}, {convalesce}] [ant:
         {degenerate}, {deteriorate}, {devolve}, {drop}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Convalesce \Con`va*lesce"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Convalesced};
   p. pr. & vb. n. {Convalescing}.] [L. convalscere; con- +
   valescere to grow strong, v. incho. of valere to be strong.
   See {Valiant}.]
   To recover health and strength gradually, after sickness or
   weakness; as, a patient begins to convalesce.
   [1913 Webster]