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ebb definition

ebb (eb)

noun

  1. the flow of water back toward the sea, as the tide falls
  2. a weakening or lessening; decline the ebb of faith

Etymology: ME ebbe < OE ebba (common LowG, as in MLowG ebbe > Ger ebbe, OFris ebba) < Gmc *abjan, a going back < IE base *apo-, from, away from > off

intransitive verb

  1. to flow back; recede, as the tide
  2. to weaken or lessen; decline

Etymology: ME ebben < OE ebbian

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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