Emily Dickinson Lexicon

THRIVE, v. [pret. thrived; pp. thrived, thriven. Dan. trives, to thrive, to increase; Sw. trifvas. It may belong to the family of trip, to hasten, or to that of drive.]

1. To prosper by industry, economy and good management of property; to increase in goods and estate. A farmer thrives by good husbandry. When the body of laboring may thrive, we pronounce the state prosperous. Diligence and humility is the way to thrive in the riches of the understanding, as well as in gold. Watts.
2. To prosper in any business; to have increase or success. O son, why sit we here, each other viewing / Idly, while Satan, our great author thrives? Milton. They by vices thrive. Sandys.
3. To grow; to increase in bulk or stature; to flourish. Young cattle thrive in rich pastures; and trees thrive in a good soil.
4. To grow; to advance; to increase or advance in any thing valuable.