Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old Norse
Origin: thrifask, probably from thrifa 'to seize'

thrive

 verb
     
thrive past tense thrived or throve past participle thrived [intransitive] formal
to become very successful or very strong and healthy:
plants that thrive in tropical rainforests
a business which managed to thrive during a recession

thrive on something

phrasal verb
to enjoy or be successful in a particular situation, especially one that other people find difficult or unpleasant:
I wouldn't want that much pressure, but she seems to thrive on it.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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