noun
2.
a flowing backward or away; decline or decay: the ebb of a once great nation.
3.
a point of decline: His fortunes were at a low ebb.
verb (used without object)
4.
to flow back or away, as the water of a tide ( opposed to flow ).
5.
to decline or decay; fade away: His life is gradually ebbing.
00:10
Ebb
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is kibitz. Does it mean:
| to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about. |
| chat, to converse |
Origin:
before 1000; (noun) Middle English eb(be), Old English ebba; cognate with Old Frisian ebba, Dutch eb(be), German Ebbe ebb, Old Norse efja place where water backs up; (v.) Middle English ebben, Old English ebbian, derivative of the noun; akin to off
before 1000; (noun) Middle English eb(be), Old English ebba; cognate with Old Frisian ebba, Dutch eb(be), German Ebbe ebb, Old Norse efja place where water backs up; (v.) Middle English ebben, Old English ebbian, derivative of the noun; akin to off
Related forms
un·ebbed, adjective
un·ebb·ing, adjective
Synonyms
4. subside, abate, recede, retire. 5. dwindle, diminish, decrease.
4. subside, abate, recede, retire. 5. dwindle, diminish, decrease.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To ebb
Collins
World English Dictionary
ebb (ɛb) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | Compare flow (of tide water) to flow back or recede |
| 2. | to fall away or decline |
| —n | |
| 3. | a. the flowing back of the tide from high to low water or the period in which this takes place |
| b. Compare flood (as modifier): the ebb tide | |
| 4. | at a low ebb in a state or period of weakness, lack of vigour, or decline |
| [Old English ebba; related to Old Norse efja river bend, Gothic ibuks moving backwards, Old High German ippihōn to roll backwards, Middle Dutch ebbe ebb] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
ebb
O.E. ebba, perhaps from P.Gmc. *abjon, from *ab-, from PIE base *apo- "off, away" (see apo-). Figurative sense of "decline, decay" is c.1400. Related: Ebbed; ebbing.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Example sentences
The ebb and flow of franchises between platforms would make a good post-graduate study.
No doubt moods and attitudes will fluctuate with the ebb and flow of economic (mis)fortunes.
The ebb and flow of batlle will call for flexability .
Customers may also want protection from the ebb and flow of prices.
Idioms & Phrases
Nearby Words
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