relapse
relapse Lexical Profile
relapse Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A deterioration in someone's state of health after a temporary improvement, or the return of a disease after a period of partial recovery.
"The patient seemed to be recovering well from the infection, but she suffered a sudden relapse over the weekend."
A return to a former undesirable state, behavior, or addiction after a period of abstinence or improvement.
"Support groups provide essential accountability to help recovering addicts prevent a relapse."
• verb
To suffer a deterioration in health or a return of symptoms after a temporary improvement.
"Without completing the full course of antibiotics, the patient is likely to relapse within a few weeks."
To slip or fall back into a former state, mood, or undesirable habit after a period of improvement or restraint.
"After answering a few questions politely, the exhausted witness relapsed into stubborn silence."
• Rhymes for relapse
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 15th century from Middle French or directly from Latin relapsus, the past participle of relabi ('to slip back, sink back'), formed from re- ('back') and labi ('to slip or slide').