Ebb
Ebb (eb) , noun
(Zoology) The European bunting.
Ebb , noun
[Anglo-Saxon ebba; akin to Fries. ebba, Dutch eb, ebbe, Danish & German ebbe, Swedish ebb, compare Gothic ibuks backward; prob. akin to English 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!
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.
Painting was then at its lowest ebb.
This alternation between unhealthy activity and depression, this ebb and flow of the industrial.
Collocations (1)
Ebb and flow , the alternate ebb and flood of the tide; often used figuratively.
Ebb , intransitive verb
[Anglo-Saxon ebbian; akin to Dutch & German ebben, Danish 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.
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.
Ebb , transitive verb
To cause to flow back. [Obsolete] — Ford
Ebb , adjective
Receding; going out; falling; shallow; low.
The water there is otherwise very low and ebb.