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ebb
ebb / eb/ • n. (usu. the ebb) the movement of the tide out to sea: I knew the tide would be on the ebb [as adj.] the ebb tide. • v. [intr.] (of tidewater) move away from the land; recede: the tide began to ebb.Compare with flow. ∎ fig. (of an emotion or quality) gradually lessen or reduce: my enthusiasm was ebbing away. PHRASES: at a low ebb in a poor state: the country was at a low ebb due to the recent war. ebb and flow a recurrent or rhythmical pattern of coming and going or decline and regrowth. |
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Cite this article
"ebb." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "ebb." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-ebb.html "ebb." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-ebb.html |
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ebb
ebb, the flow of the tidal stream as it recedes, from the ending of the period of slack water at high tide to the start of the period of slack water at low tide. Its period is about six hours, which is approximately divided into three parts: the first two hours being known as the first of the ebb, the middle two hours as the strength of the ebb, and the last two hours as the last of the ebb. It is also used as a verb.
See also flood. |
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Cite this article
"ebb." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "ebb." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-ebb.html "ebb." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-ebb.html |
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ebb
ebb sb. OE. ebba = (M)LG., MDu. ebbe (Du. eb(be)) :- WGmc. *abjan-, -ōn, f. *ab (see OF), as if ‘a running off or away’.
So ebb vb. OE. ebbian = (M)LG., (M)Du. ebben. |
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "ebb." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "ebb." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-ebb.html T. F. HOAD. "ebb." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-ebb.html |
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ebb
ebb
•Aurangzeb, bleb, celeb, deb, ebb, pleb, reb, web, Webb
•Caleb • Deneb • Zagreb • cobweb
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Cite this article
"ebb." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "ebb." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-ebb.html "ebb." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-ebb.html |
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