ebb

ebb
[[t]e̱b[/t]]
ebbs, ebbing, ebbed
1) VERB When the tide or the sea ebbs, its level gradually falls.

As the tide ebbs, an ominous swell begins to run in.

2) N-COUNT: usu the N The ebb or the ebb tide is one of the regular periods, usually two per day, when the sea gradually falls to a lower level as the tide moves away from the land.

...the spring ebb tide...

We decided to leave on the ebb at six o'clock next morning.

3) VERB If someone's life, support, or feeling ebbs, it becomes weaker and gradually disappears. [FORMAL]

...as a man's physical strength ebbs...

Were there occasions when enthusiasm ebbed?

Ebb away means the same as ebb.

V P His little girl's life ebbed away... V P They suspect that their popular support is ebbing away.

4) PHRASE: v-link PHR If someone or something is at a low ebb or at their lowest ebb, they are not being very successful or profitable.

...a time when everyone is tired and at a low ebb...

The Government's popularity is at its lowest ebb.

5) PHRASE: usu PHR of n You can use ebb and flow to describe the way that something repeatedly increases and decreases or rises and falls.

...the ebb and flow of feeling and moods.


English dictionary. 2008.

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  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ebb — steht für: Eccentric Bottom Bracket, englisch für „exzentrisches Innenlager“ beim Fahrrad Einrichtungen der Beruflichen Bildung, gedruckter Vorläufer der Weiterbildungsdatenbank KURS Eisbären Berlin, Berliner Eishockeyclub Electric Banana Band,… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • 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}. [1913 Webster] That Power who bids… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • EBB — steht für: Eccentric Bottom Bracket, englisch für „exzentrisches Innenlager“ beim Fahrrad Einrichtungen der Beruflichen Bildung, gedruckter Vorläufer der Weiterbildungsdatenbank KURS Eisbären Berlin, Berliner Eishockeyclub Electric Banana Band,… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • ebb — ► NOUN ▪ the movement of the tide out to sea. ► VERB 1) (of tidewater) move away from the land; recede. 2) (often ebb away) (of an emotion or quality) gradually lessen or reduce. ● at a low ebb Cf. ↑at a low ebb …   English terms dictionary

  • Ebb — Ebb, a. Receding; going out; falling; shallow; low. [1913 Webster] The water there is otherwise very low and ebb. Holland. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ebb — Ebb, v. t. To cause to flow back. [Obs.] Ford. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ebb — ([e^]b), n. (Zo[ o]l.) The European bunting. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ebb — (n.) O.E. ebba ebb, low tide, perhaps from P.Gmc. *abjon (Cf. O.Fris. ebba, O.S. ebbiunga, M.Du. ebbe, Du. eb, Ger. Ebbe), from *ab , from PIE root *apo off, away (see APO (Cf. apo) ). The verb is O.E …   Etymology dictionary

  • ebb — [n] regression; decline abatement, backflow, decay, decrease, degeneration, depreciation, deterioration, diminution, drop, dwindling, fading away, flagging, going out, lessening, low tide, low water, outward flow, petering out*, recession,… …   New thesaurus

  • ebb — [eb] n. [ME ebbe < OE ebba (common LowG, as in MLowG ebbe > Ger ebbe, OFris ebba) < Gmc * abjan, a going back < IE base * apo , from, away from > OFF1] 1. the flow of water back toward the sea, as the tide falls 2. a weakening or… …   English World dictionary

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