Lewis & Short

con-vălesco, lŭi, 3, v. inch. n., to recover from a disease, to regain health, to grow strong, gain strength, etc. (very freq., and class.).

  1. I. Lit., with ex, de, ab, or absol.: ex morbo, Cic. Fat. 12, 28 sq.; so id. Fam. 13, 29, 4; Suet. Aug. 59; cf.: de vulnere, Ov. H. 21, 211: nec omnes, qui curari se passi sunt, continuo etiam convalescant, Cic. Tusc. 3, 3, 5: eum sustulere (defatigatum vulneribus), isque convaluit, Cat. ap. Gell. 3, 7, 19: ne aegri quidem quia non omnes convalescunt, idcirco ars nulla medicina est, Cic. N. D. 2, 4, 12: a solis ardoribus, Plin. 23, 1, 27, § 54; so in part. pres.: con-vălescentes, subst., those who are convalescent, Plin. 20, 5, 17, §§ 34 and 35; 31, 9, 45, § 102 al.: agni, Varr. R. R. 2, 2, 15; Col. 7, 3, 19: arbores, to thrive, grow, Varr. R. R. 1, 23, 6: semina, Col. 3, 3, 4; 4, 16, 1: caulis, Pall. Febr. 24, 6: planta, Sen. Ep. 2, 2; cf., of drooping branches of trees: veterrimae ilicis demissos jam ad terram languentesque ramos convaluisse adventu suo, Suet. Aug. 92: pestifer ignis, Ov. M. 8, 478; cf.: flamma magnā congerie, Quint. 5, 13, 13.
  2. II. Trop.
    1. A. In gen.: ut convalescere aliquando et sanari civitas posset, Cic. Sull. 27, 76; so, civitas, Just. 3, 4, 1: Milo in dies convalescebat, gained strength, Cic. Mil. 9, 25: Caesar, id. Att. 7, 3, 4: ut tandem annona convaluit, grew better, became cheaper, Suet. Aug. 42: mens mea, Ov. H. 16, 73: mala per longas moras, id. R. Am. 92: opinio inveterata, Col. 3, 7, 2; so, opinio vetus, Gell. 4, 11, 1: fama mortis suae apud barbaros, Curt. 9, 6, 1.
    2. B. Esp. in the jurists, to receive or possess value, become valid: testamentum, Dig. 29, 1, 33: donatio, ib. 24, 1, 33: libertas servo data, ib. 28, 7, 20.