▪ I. thriving, vbl. n.
(ˈθraɪvɪŋ)
[f. thrive v. + -ing1.]
The action of the verb thrive, in various senses; prospering; prosperity; vigorous growth.
| c 1460 How Gd. Wif taught Dou. 164 in Hazl. E.P.P. I. 191 Make the nought to riche of other mannys thinge; The bolder to spende the worse thriuing. 1530 Palsgr. 716/1, I set up a man, I am the occasyon of his thrivynge, or avauncement. 1622 E. Misselden Free Trade 79 This their better thriuing is because euery man is at libertie to be a Merchant at his pleasure. 1707 Mortimer Husb. (1721) II. 81 If a Tree begins to abate of its thriving, lop off some of the Branches. 1878 J. Todhunter Alcestis (1879) 28 'Twas when he made processions through the land, To test his people's thriving. |
▪ II. ˈthriving, ppl. a.
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 J. Flavel Meth. Grace xxv. 438 The new creature is a thriving creature, growing from strength to strength. 1784 Cowper Task ii. 714 Learning grew Beneath his care, 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. |