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Where does the word "thrive" come from? It comes from Old Norse thrifask, and was adopted directly into English (1200s).
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Where does the word "thrive" come from? It comes from Old Norse thrifask, and was adopted directly into English (1200s).
Thrive’s story begins in Old Norse: thrifask meant “to grasp, to prosper.” The root of 'thrift', which first meant prosperity. It reached English by 1200s as thrive. Settled as the English word for growing or flourishing successfully. Today, thrive means to grow, develop, or flourish successfully.
- Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval thrifask "to grasp, to prosper", the root of 'thrift', which first meant prosperity.
- Stage 2 · English · 1200s thrive "to grow or develop successfully", settled as the English word for growing or flourishing successfully.