I. ˈeb noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English eb, ebbe, from Old English ebba; akin to Old Frisian ebba ebb, Middle Dutch ebbe, Old Saxon ebbia ebb, Old Norse efja river bend in which the current flows backwards, Old English of from — more at of
1. : the reflux or flowing back of the tide : return of the tidal wave toward the sea
the boats will go out on the ebb
— opposed to flood
2. : a point or condition of gradual decline from a higher to a lower level (as of activity) or from a better to a worse state — often used in the phrase at the ebb
faith in the possibilities of mankind … is at the ebb — B.R.Redman
or at a low ebb
Federalism in New York was at a low ebb — L.B.Mason
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English ebben, from Old English ebbian, from ebba, n.
intransitive verb
1. : to recede from its flood (as of the water of a tide toward the ocean) — opposed to flow
2.
a. : to fall gradually from a higher to a lower level (as of activity) or from a better to a worse state : decline
his energy seemed to ebb
: draw to a close : diminish , lessen
capacity to resist ebbed away — Oscar Handlin
b. : return , revive — used with back
his courage ebbed back again — O.E.Rölvaag
transitive verb
: to dry by the recession of the tide
an ebbed beach
III. adjective
Etymology: Middle English eb being at ebb, from eb, ebbe, n.
dialect Britain : shallow