Verb

(dwindl)

To decrease, shrink, diminish, reduce in size.

* 1802 , , translated by T. Paynell,

[E]very thing that was improving gradually degenerates and dwindles away to nothing,

(figuratively) To fall away in quality; degenerate, sink.

The flattery of his friends began to dwindle into simple approbation.'' (''Goldsmith , Vicar, III)

* Jonathan Swift

Religious societies, though begun with excellent intentions, are said to have dwindled into factious clubs.

* 1919 ,

The larger the empire, the more dwindles the mind of the citizen.

* '>citation

To lessen; to bring low.

* Thomson

Our drooping days are dwindled down to naught.

To break; to disperse.

(Clarendon)

Verb

To grow or increase stature; to grow vigorously or luxuriantly, to flourish.

:* 1819' (though spoken by a character in the 12-century): “It seems to me, reverend father,” said the knight, “that the small morsels which you eat, together with this holy, but somewhat thin beverage, have '''thriven with you marvellously.” — Walter Scott, ''Ivanhoe

To increase in wealth or success; to prosper, be profitable.

Since expanding in June, the business has really thrived .

* {{quote-news

, year=2012 , date=April 29 , author=Nathan Rabin , title=TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Treehouse of Horror III” (season 4, episode 5; originally aired 10/29/1992) citation , page= , passage=Though they obviously realized that these episodes were part of something wonderful and important and lasting, the writers and producers couldn’t have imagined that 20 years later “Treehouse Of Horror” wouldn’t just survive; it’d thrive as one of the most talked-about and watched episodes of every season of The Simpsons.}}