noun pl. recoveries -·er·ies

1. the act or an instance of recovering; specif.,
   1. a regaining of something lost or stolen
   2. a return to health, consciousness, etc.
   3. a regaining of balance, control, composure, etc.
   4. a retrieval of a capsule, nose cone, etc. after a spaceflight or launch
   5. the removal of valuable substances from waste material, byproducts, etc.
2. Sports a return to a position of guard, readiness, etc., as after a lunge in fencing or a stroke in rowing
3. a process of attempting to change dysfunctional behavior, as by abstaining from an addictive substance an alcoholic in recovery

Etymology: ME recoverie < Anglo-Fr