The headword is an epic dialect form of the dative plural of θάλος , apparently extracted from the first quotation (which is the only non-lexicographical appearance of this form), although in the quotation the word has the nu-moveable at the end, which the headword lacks; cf. Hesychius theta32.
[1] According to Adler, one manuscript (Vossianus Fol. 2) reads τροφαῖς (meaning 'ways of education' or 'means of rearing') in place of τρυφαῖς ('luxuries'). This alternative fits the context of the following citation from Callimachus — note his use of the same root in ἀνέτρεφον . However, the majority reading τρυφαῖς should probably be preferred, as it too fits the context, and is similar in meaning to the different glosses offered by Hesychius theta32: πιότητι ('with richness'), λιπαρίαις ('with excesses').
[2] cf. theta 30.
[3] Callimachus, Hecale fr.48 Hollis (337 Pfeiffer + 287 Lloyd-Jones/Parsons).
[4] Greek Anthology 6.292.3 (Hedylus); cf. alpha 1539. Here the word appears in the nominative singular.
[5] This note explains that θάλος in this second quotation means “offshoot” or “offspring,” i.e. “child.” Both this and the previous citation use θάλος in a metaphorical sense, though not in the same sense.