thrave

n. [ OE. þrave, þreve, Icel. þrefi; akin to Dan. trave; cf. Icel. þrīfa to grasp. ] 1. Twenty-four (in some places, twelve) sheaves of wheat; a shock, or stook. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The number of two dozen; also, an indefinite number; a bunch; a company; a throng. “The worst of a thrave.” [ Obs. ] Landsdowne MS. [ 1913 Webster ]

He sends forth thraves of ballads to the sale. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. Throve r Thrived p. p. Thrived or Thriven p. pr. & vb. n. Thriving. ] [ OE. þriven, Icel. þrīfask; probably originally, to grasp for one's self, from þrīfa 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Diligence and humility is the way to thrive in the riches of the understanding, as well as in gold. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To prosper in any business; to have increase or success. “They by vices thrive.” Sandys. [ 1913 Webster ]

O son, why sit we here, each other viewing
Idly, while Satan, our great author, thrives? Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

And so she throve and prospered. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]