Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “convalescent” come from?

Convalescent comes from French convalescent, from Latin convalescens, the present participle of convalesco, formed from con- and valesco, meaning to grow strong.

convalescent (English): recovering one's health and strength after a...

Definitions

  1. recovering one's health and strength after a...

Ancestry of “convalescent”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Frenchconvalescentconvalescent
2Latinconvalescens
3LatinconvalescoI recover ; I gain strength
4Latincon-Used in compounds to indicate a being or bringing...
5Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
6Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
7Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
8Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
9Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
10Middle Englishkyt—
11Germankitt—
12Old High Germankuti—
13Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
14Proto-Germanickweduzresin
15Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
16Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

Words derived from “convalescent”

  • postconvalescent
  • convalescently
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →