Verb

(es)

To feed and cause to grow; to supply with matter which increases bulk or supplies waste, and promotes health; to furnish with nutriment.

* Bible, Is. xliv. 14

He planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.

To support; to maintain.

* Shakespeare

I in Ireland nourish a mighty band.

To supply the means of support and increase to; to encourage; to foster; as, to nourish rebellion; to nourish the virtues.

To cherish; to comfort.

* Bible, James v. 5

Ye have nourished your hearts.

To educate; to instruct; to bring up; to nurture; to promote the growth of in attainments.

* Bible, 1 Timothy iv. 6

Nourished up in the words of faith.

(Chaucer)

To promote growth; to furnish nutriment.

(obsolete) To gain nourishment.

(Francis Bacon)

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.}}