well-thrivenadj.
/ˌwɛlˈθrɪvn/, U.S. /ˌwɛlˈθrɪv(ə)n/, Scottish English /ˌwɛlˈθrɪvn/ Now chiefly Scottish and English regional (northern).
That has grown, developed, or prospered well; thriving, flourishing. In later use chiefly of livestock.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > [adjective] > of health: good > thriving
well-likingc1350
well-thrivena1400
in seasonc1400
flowerya1420
thriftyc1440
valent1492
wealthya1538
vegetous1610
vegete1639
thriving1647
florid1656
grush1786
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 14806 Þis man is wele þriuen.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 197 The child..Achilides was cald Wex & wele threvan.
1629 F. Quarles Argalus & Parthenia iii. 131 It seem'd a Center to a Parke, welstor'd With Deere; whose well thriuen bounty did afford Continuall pleasure, and delight.
1681 J. Dryden Spanish Fryar i. 3 A true Son of the Church; Fresh colour'd, and well thriven on his Trade.
1747 S. Richardson Clarissa II. i. 5 Then I have a quarrel against his face, though in his person, for a well-thriven man, tolerably genteel.
1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in Iliad & Odyssey I. xviii. 698 A well-thriven ox.
1827 C. I. Johnstone Elizabeth de Bruce I. viii. 179 A comely well-thriven matron, many years younger than her lord.
1876 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Words Whitby Thrivven, or Throvven, ‘Weel thrivven’, lusty and strong. Prosperous in all senses.
1894 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words Throdden, to make grow, to thrive. Hence throdden and throddy, plump, fat, well thriven.
1965 Sc. Agric. 44 No. 4 187 The general condition of the ewes is poor but their lambs are reasonably well-thriven.
2007 P. R. Scott Sheep Med. x. 245 CPD [Contagious Pustular Dermatitis] is rarely a major problem in well-fed, well-thriven stock.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.a1400