Ebb and flow

Ebb and flow
Ebb Ebb, n. [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. [1913 Webster]

Thou shoreless flood which in thy ebb and flow Claspest the limits of morality! --Shelley. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Painting was then at its lowest ebb. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

{Ebb and flow}, the alternate ebb and flood of the tide; often used figuratively. [1913 Webster]

This alternation between unhealthy activity and depression, this ebb and flow of the industrial. --A. T. Hadley. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Ebb and flow — or Flood and Drain is a form of hydroponics that is known for its simplicity, reliability of operation, and low initial investment, while providing the advantages of hydroponics. Also called E F , it is a system of arranging pots filled with… …   Wikipedia

  • ebb and flow — index beat (pulsate) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • ebb and flow — noun 1. : the alternate ebb and flood of the tide 2. : a condition or rhythm of alternate forward and backward movement or of alternate decline and renewed advance the ebb and flow of battle the ebbs and flows of business * * * ebb and flow, 1.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • ebb and flow — 1. noun a) The flowing out and in of the tide. b) A large flowing out and in. 2. verb To alternately ebb and flow. As true we are as flesh and blood can be: / The sea will ebb and flow, heaven show his face …   Wiktionary

  • Ebb and Flow Jungalows — (Midigama East,Шри Ланка) Категория отеля: 4 звездочный отель Адрес: Midigama …   Каталог отелей

  • ebb-and-flow spring —    ; ebbing and flowing well    See spring, ebb and flow …   Lexicon of Cave and Karst Terminology

  • ebb-and-flow structure — noun : stratified rock structure characterized by alternating horizontal and cross bedded layers thought to be produced by tidal ebb and flow …   Useful english dictionary

  • ebb and flow — Synonyms and related words: Lissajous figure, alternate, alternation, back and fill, back and forth, battledore and shuttlecock, be poised, billow, break, comb, come and go, coming and going, crash, dash, direct tide, ebb, ebb tide, flood, flood… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • ebb and flow — receding and advancing of the ocean tide, fluctuating movement, rise and fall of anything; (Slang) ups and downs …   English contemporary dictionary

  • ebb and flow — 1) to keep becoming smaller or weaker and then larger or stronger Enthusiasm for reform ebbed and flowed. 2) to keep changing between two states The battle ebbed and flowed around them …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”