DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
Ebb n. Zoöl. The European bunting.
Ebb, n.
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.”
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.
Ebb v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ebbed p. pr. & vb. n. Ebbing.]
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.
Ebb, v. t. To cause to flow back. [Obs.]
Ebb, a. Receding; going out; falling; shallow; low.
The water there is otherwise very low and ebb. --Holland.
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ebb
n 1: a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
[syn: ebbing, wane]
2: the outward flow of the tide [syn: reflux]
v 1: flow back or recede; "the tides ebbed at noon" [syn: ebb
away, ebb down, ebb out, ebb off] [ant: tide]
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"