Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Thrive \Thrive\ (thr[imac]v), v. i. [imp. {Throve} (thr[=o]v) or
   {Thrived} (thr[imac]vd); p. p. {Thrived} or {Thriven}
   (thr[i^]v"'n); p. pr. & vb. n. {Thriving}.] [OE.
   [thorn]riven, Icel. [thorn]r[=i]fask; probably originally, to
   grasp for one's self, from [thorn]r[=i]fa to grasp; akin to
   Dan. trives to thrive, Sw. trifvas. Cf. {Thrift}.]
   1. To prosper by industry, economy, and good management of
      property; to increase in goods and estate; as, a farmer
      thrives by good husbandry.

            Diligence and humility is the way to thrive in the
            riches of the understanding, as well as in gold.
                                                  --I. Watts.

   2. To prosper in any business; to have increase or success.
      ``They by vices thrive.'' --Sandys.

            O son, why sit we here, each other viewing Idly,
            while Satan, our great author, thrives? --Milton.

            And so she throve and prospered.      --Tennyson.

   3. To increase in bulk or stature; to grow vigorously or
      luxuriantly, as a plant; to flourish; as, young cattle
      thrive in rich pastures; trees thrive in a good soil.

Source : WordNet®

thriving
     adj 1: very lively and profitable; "flourishing businesses"; "a
            palmy time for stockbrokers"; "a prosperous new
            business"; "doing a roaring trade"; "a thriving
            tourist center"; "did a thriving business in orchids"
            [syn: {booming}, {flourishing}, {palmy}, {prospering},
             {prosperous}, {roaring}]
     2: having or showing vigorous vegetal or animal life;
        "flourishing crops"; "flourishing chicks"; "a growing
        boy"; "fast-growing weeds"; "a thriving deer population"
        [syn: {flourishing}, {growing}]