/eb/ , n.
1. the flowing back of the tide as the water returns to the sea (opposed to flood, flow ).
2. a flowing backward or away; decline or decay: the ebb of a once great nation.
3. a point of decline: His fortunes were at a low ebb.
v.i.
4. to flow back or away, as the water of a tide (opposed to flow ).
5. to decline or decay; fade away: His life is gradually ebbing.
[ bef. 1000; (n.) ME eb ( be ), OE ebba; c. OFris ebba, D eb ( be ), G Ebbe ebb, ON efja place where water backs up; (v.) ME ebben, OE ebbian, deriv. of the n.; akin to OFF ]
Syn. 4. subside, abate, recede, retire. 5. dwindle, diminish, decrease.