Convalesce (v.): to recover health and strength gradually after sickness or weakness. The first known use of the term was in the 15th century.

While sorting through an archival collection last week, while a cold was beginning to establish its hold within me, I came across the following passage: “Unfortunately this was complicated and interrupted by an atypical pneumonia and nephritis. I came home to my sisters to convalesce.”

As my cold developed and fully grew within me over the weekend, I found myself thinking more about the term convalesce and why it has fallen out of favor when it so perfectly captures the more frequently used term recovery. I, for one, have used it multiple times over the past several days and plan to add it to my general vocabulary for future use.

To all of you suffering from winter illnesses, I wish you a speedy convalescence.