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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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
ebbing
n : a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
[syn: ebb, wane]
WordNet (r) 2.0
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