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ebb

 - 3 dictionary results

ebb

  [eb]
Use ebb in a Sentence
–noun
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.
–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.
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
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To ebb
ebb   (ěb)   
n.  

  1. Ebb tide.

  2. A period of decline or diminution: "Insistence upon rules of conduct marks the ebb of religious fervor" (Alfred North Whitehead).

intr.v.   ebbed, ebb·ing, ebbs

  1. To fall back from the flood stage.

  2. To fall away or back; decline or recede. See Synonyms at recede1.


[Middle English ebbe, from Old English ebba; see apo- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Idioms & Phrases

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. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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