relapse
2 ENTRIES FOUND:
1
relapse
/ˈriːˌlæps/
noun
plural
relapses
1
relapse
/ˈriːˌlæps/
noun
plural
relapses
Britannica Dictionary definition of RELAPSE
1
:
the return of an illness after a period of improvement
[count]
-
Everyone thought she was well until a sudden relapse sent her back to the hospital.
[noncount]
-
Patients who stop taking the medication have a higher risk of relapse. [=they are more likely to get sick again]
2
:
a return to bad behavior that you had stopped doing
[count]
-
a drug addict who has had a relapse
[noncount]
-
a drug addict who has a history of relapse
-
The program has a low rate of relapse. [=most people who use the program do not return to the bad behavior they had stopped doing]
relapses;
relapsed;
relapsing
relapses;
relapsed;
relapsing
Britannica Dictionary definition of RELAPSE
[no object]
1
a
:
to become ill again after a period of improvement in health
-
If you don't continue your treatment, you could relapse.
b
of an illness
:
to return or become worse after leaving or improving for a period of time
-
Malaria can relapse years after the original infection.
2
:
to return to a bad condition, form of behavior, etc.
-
The country soon relapsed into chaos.
-
She stayed out of trouble for a long time, but then she relapsed into her old ways.
-
Many former smokers relapse [=begin smoking again] in times of stress.
