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ebb 
Audio Help [eb] Pronunciation Key
Audio Help [eb] Pronunciation Key –noun
–verb (used without object)
| 1. | the flowing back of the tide as the water returns to the sea (opposed to flood, flow). |
| 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. |
| 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. |
[Origin: bef. 1000; (n.) ME eb(be), OE ebba; c. OFris ebba, D eb(be), G Ebbe ebb, ON efja place where water backs up; (v.) ME ebben, OE ebbian, deriv. of the n.; akin to off]
] —Synonyms 4. subside, abate, recede, retire. 5. dwindle, diminish, decrease.
| Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006. |
ebb
To learn more about ebb visit Britannica.com
| © 2008 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. |
| ebb
Audio Help (ěb) Pronunciation Key
n.
intr.v. ebbed, ebb·ing, ebbs
[Middle English ebbe, from Old English ebba; see apo- in Indo-European roots.] |
| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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.
| Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper |
| ebb | |
noun | |
| 1. | a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number) |
| 2. | the outward flow of the tide |
verb | |
| 1. | flow back or recede; "the tides ebbed at noon" [ant: carapace] |
| 2. | hem in fish with stakes and nets so as to prevent them from going back into the sea with the ebb |
| 3. | fall away or decline; "The patient's strength ebbed away" |
| WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University. |
ebb
In addition to the idioms beginning with ebb, also see at a low ebb.
| The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. |
ebb1 [eb]
(of the tide) to go out from the land
Example: The tide began to ebb.
ebb2 [eb]Example: The tide began to ebb.
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to become less
Example: His strength was ebbing fast.
See also: at a low ebb, ebb tide, on the ebbExample: His strength was ebbing fast.
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| Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary, © 2000-2006 K Dictionaries Ltd. |
Ebb
Ebb\, n. (Zo["o]l.) The European bunting.| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
Ebb
Ebb\, n. [AS. ebba; akin to Fries. ebba, D. eb, ebbe, Dan. & G. ebbe, Sw. ebb, cf. Goth. ibuks backward; prob. akin to E. even.]1. The reflux or flowing back of the tide; the return of the tidal wave toward the sea; -- opposed to flood; as, the boats will go out on the ebb. Thou shoreless flood which in thy ebb and flow Claspest the limits of morality! --Shelley. 2. The state or time of passing away; a falling from a better to a worse state; low state or condition; decline; decay. "Our ebb of life." --Roscommon. Painting was then at its lowest ebb. --Dryden. Ebb and flow, the alternate ebb and flood of the tide; often used figuratively. This alternation between unhealthy activity and depression, this ebb and flow of the industrial. --A. T. Hadley.| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
Ebb
Ebb\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ebbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Ebbing.] [AS. ebbian; akin to D. & G. ebben, Dan. ebbe. See 2d Ebb.]1. To flow back; to return, as the water of a tide toward the ocean; -- opposed to flow. That Power who bids the ocean ebb and flow. --Pope. 2. To return or fall back from a better to a worse state; to decline; to decay; to recede. The hours of life ebb fast. --Blackmore. Syn: To recede; retire; withdraw; decay; decrease; wane; sink; lower.| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
Ebb
Ebb\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ebbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Ebbing.] [AS. ebbian; akin to D. & G. ebben, Dan. ebbe. See 2d Ebb.]1. To flow back; to return, as the water of a tide toward the ocean; -- opposed to flow. That Power who bids the ocean ebb and flow. --Pope. 2. To return or fall back from a better to a worse state; to decline; to decay; to recede. The hours of life ebb fast. --Blackmore. Syn: To recede; retire; withdraw; decay; decrease; wane; sink; lower.| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
Ebb
Ebb\, v. t. To cause to flow back. [Obs.] --Ford.| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
EBB
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