| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024ebb /ɛb/USA pronunciation n. - Oceanography[uncountable] the flowing back of the tide to a lower level as the water returns to the sea.
- [countable* usually singular] a flowing backward or away;
decline or decay;
a state of decline.
v. [no object] - to flow back or away, such as the water of a tide:A crab was left stranded on the beach as the tide ebbed.
- to decline or decay;
fade away:His strength began to ebb.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024ebb (eb),USA pronunciation n. - Oceanographythe flowing back of the tide as the water returns to the sea (opposed to flood, flow).
- a flowing backward or away;
decline or decay:the ebb of a once great nation. - a point of decline:His fortunes were at a low ebb.
v.i. - to flow back or away, as the water of a tide (opposed to flow).
- to decline or decay;
fade away:His life is gradually ebbing.
- bef. 1000; (noun, nominal) Middle English eb(be), Old English ebba; cognate with Old Frisian ebba, Dutch eb(be), German Ebbe ebb, Old Norse efja place where water backs up; (verb, verbal) Middle English ebben, Old English ebbian, derivative of the noun, nominal; akin to off
- 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged subside, abate, recede, retire.
- 5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged dwindle, diminish, decrease.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: ebb /ɛb/ vb (intransitive)- (of tide water) to flow back or recede
Compare flow - to fall away or decline
n - the flowing back of the tide from high to low water or the period in which this takes place
- (as modifier): the ebb tide
Compare flood - at a low ebb ⇒ in a state or period of weakness, lack of vigour, or decline
Etymology: Old English ebba; related to Old Norse efja river bend, Gothic ibuks moving backwards, Old High German ippihōn to roll backwards, Middle Dutch ebbe ebb |