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Webster 1913 Edition

Ebb

Ebb

(ĕb)
,
Noun.
(Zoöl.)
The European bunting.

Ebb

,
Noun.
[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!
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.”
Roscommon.
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

,
Verb.
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.
Pope.
2.
To return or fall back from a better to a worse state; to decline; to decay; to recede.
Syn. – To recede; retire; withdraw; decay; decrease; wane; sink; lower.

Ebb

,
Verb.
T.
To cause to flow back.
[Obs.]
Ford.

Ebb

,
Adj.
Receding; going out; falling; shallow; low.
The water there is otherwise very low and
ebb
.
Holland.

Webster 1828 Edition

Ebb

EBB

,
Noun.
The reflux of the tide; the return of tidewater towards the sea; opposed to flood or flowing.
1.
Decline; decay; a falling from a better to a worse state; as the ebb of life; the ebb of prosperity.

EBB

,
Verb.
I.
To flow back; to return as the water of a tide towards the ocean; opposed to flow. The tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty four hours.
1.
To decay; to decline; to return or fall back from a better to a worse state.

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