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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Ebb \Ebb\, 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}.
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That Power who bids the ocean ebb and flow. --Pope.
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2. To return or fall back from a better to a worse state; to
decline; to decay; to recede.
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The hours of life ebb fast. --Blackmore.

Syn: To recede; retire; withdraw; decay; decrease; wane;
sink; lower.
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Ebb \Ebb\ ([e^]b), n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European bunting.
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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.
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Thou shoreless flood which in thy ebb and flow
Claspest the limits of morality! --Shelley.
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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.
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Painting was then at its lowest ebb. --Dryden.
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{Ebb and flow}, the alternate ebb and flood of the tide;
often used figuratively.
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This alternation between unhealthy activity and
depression, this ebb and flow of the industrial.
--A. T.
Hadley.
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Ebb \Ebb\, v. t.
To cause to flow back. [Obs.] --Ford.
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Ebb \Ebb\, a.
Receding; going out; falling; shallow; low.
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The water there is otherwise very low and ebb.
--Holland.
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