Lazarus effect

noun

The sudden recovery of a terminally ill patient when given appropriate treatment, especially for AIDS.

Meanings

noun
  1. The sudden recovery of a terminally ill patient when given appropriate treatment, especially for AIDS.

Origin

In reference to the biblical character Lazarus of Bethany, miraculously restored to life four days after his death.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Lazarus effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Lazarus%20effect

MLA

“Lazarus effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Lazarus%20effect. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Lazarus effect,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Lazarus%20effect.

Source: Lazarus effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.