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 ]

v. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

That Power who bids the ocean ebb and flow. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To return or fall back from a better to a worse state; to decline; to decay; to recede. [ 1913 Webster ]

The hours of life ebb fast. Blackmore.

Syn. -- To recede; retire; withdraw; decay; decrease; wane; sink; lower. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To cause to flow back. [ Obs. ] Ford. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Receding; going out; falling; shallow; low. [ 1913 Webster ]

The water there is otherwise very low and ebb. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]