ebb

[ebb]

When something ebbs, it is declining, falling, or flowing away. The best time to look for sea creatures in tidal pools is when the tide is on the ebb meaning it has receded from the shore.

...

The European bunting.

Noun
the outward flow of the tide

Noun
a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)

Verb
fall away or decline; "The patient''s strength ebbed away"

Verb
hem in fish with stakes and nets so as to prevent them from going back into the sea with the ebb

Verb
flow back or recede; "the tides ebbed at noon"

...

n.
The European bunting.

n.
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.

n.
The state or time of passing away; a falling from a better to a worse state; low state or condition; decline; decay.

v. i.
To flow back; to return, as the water of a tide toward the ocean; -- opposed to flow.

v. i.
To return or fall back from a better to a worse state; to decline; to decay; to recede.

v. t.
To cause to flow back.

a.
Receding; going out; falling; shallow; low.

Ebb

Ebb , n. (Zo'94l.) The European bunting.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Syn. -- To recede; retire; withdraw; decay; decrease; wane; sink; lower.

Ebb

Ebb, v. t. To cause to flow back. [Obs.] Ford.

Ebb

Ebb, a. Receding; going out; falling; shallow; low.

The water there is otherwise very low and ebb.

The European bunting.

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.

To flow back; to return, as the water of a tide toward the ocean; -- opposed to flow.

To cause to flow back.

Receding; going out; falling; shallow; low.

...

Usage Examples

One problem with age is that patience begins to ebb.

I have a terrific marriage, but unlike a lot of relationships where they ebb and flow, no matter what happens you fall deeper and deeper in love every day. It's kind of the best thing that can happen to you. It's thrilling.

Misspelled Form

ebb, webb, 3ebb, 4ebb, rebb, sebb, debb, wbb, 3bb, 4bb, rbb, sbb, dbb, ewbb, e3bb, e4bb, erbb, esbb, edbb, evbb, egbb, ehbb, enbb, e bb, evb, egb, ehb, enb, e b, ebvb, ebgb, ebhb, ebnb, eb b, ebvb, ebgb, ebhb, ebnb, eb b, ebv, ebg, ebh, ebn, eb , ebbv, ebbg, ebbh, ebbn, ebb .

Other Usage Examples

Mickey Mouse popped out of my mind onto a drawing pad 20 years ago on a train ride from Manhattan to Hollywood at a time when business fortunes of my brother Roy and myself were at lowest ebb and disaster seemed right around the corner.

Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change - this is the rhythm of living. Out of our over-confidence, fear out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope. And out of hope, progress.