| 释义 |
ebb
I. \ˈeb\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English eb, ebbe, from Old English ebba; akin to Old Frisian ebba ebb, Middle Dutch ebbe, Old Saxon ebbia ebb, Old Norse efja river bend in which the current flows backwards, Old English of from — more at of
1. : the reflux or flowing back of the tide : return of the tidal wave toward the sea
< the boats will go out on the ebb >
— opposed to flood
2. : a point or condition of gradual decline from a higher to a lower level (as of activity) or from a better to a worse state — often used in the phrase at the ebb
< faith in the possibilities of mankind … is at the ebb — B.R.Redman >
or at a low ebb
< Federalism in New York was at a low ebb — L.B.Mason >
II. verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Middle English ebben, from Old English ebbian, from ebba, n.
intransitive verb
1. : to recede from its flood (as of the water of a tide toward the ocean) — opposed to flow
2.
a. : to fall gradually from a higher to a lower level (as of activity) or from a better to a worse state : decline
< his energy seemed to ebb >
: draw to a close : diminish, lessen
< capacity to resist ebbed away — Oscar Handlin >
b. : return, revive — used with back
< his courage ebbed back again — O.E.Rölvaag >
transitive verb
: to dry by the recession of the tide
< an ebbed beach >
III. adjective
Etymology: Middle English eb being at ebb, from eb, ebbe, n.
dialect Britain : shallow |