Also 5 n. dial. -and(e. [f. THRIVE v. + -ING2.] That thrives, in various senses.
† 1. In alliterative use: Excelling, excellent, worthy; = THRIVEN 2, THRIFTY 2. Obs.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 751. What if þretty þryuande be þrad in ȝon tounez.
13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1980. Fele þryuande þonkkez he þrat hom to haue.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 1482. Of his sonnes…. The þrid was a þro knight, þrivand in Armys. Ibid., 5435, 5458, etc. Ibid., 4103. Machaon & Polidus … triet shippes broght Two & thretty full thryuond, & þrong into prise.
c. 1470. Golagros & Gaw., 345. Ye ar thre in this thede, thriuand oft in thrang.
2. Growing vigorously; flourishing (physically).
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1650), II. x. 15. The dust of Martyrs were the thrivingst seeds of Christianity.
1681. Flavel, Meth. Grace, xxv. 438. The new creature is a thriving creature, growing from strength to strength.
1784. Cowper, Task, II. 714. Learning grew Bencath his eare, a thriving vig’rous plant.
1848. Dickens, Dombey, iii. ‘How is Master Paul, Richards?’ ‘Quite thriving, sir, and well.’
3. Prospering, doing well in business; successful, fortunate.
1607. Tourneur, Rev. Trag., IV. iv. Aske but the thriuing’st harlot in cold bloud; Shee’d giue the world to make her honour good.
1710. Steele, Tatler, No. 200, ¶ 2. I am not fond of a Man only for being of … a Thriving Temper.
1758. Johnson, Idler, No. 16, ¶ 2. Ned was … considered as a thriving trader.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 375. Two great towns, which have a large and thriving trade with each other. Ibid., vi. II. 135. The colonists were in a thriving condition.
