ebb /ˈɛb/
 退潮,衰退(vi.)潮退,衰退


 Ebb n. Zoöl. The European bunting.


 Ebb, n.
 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.
 Thou shoreless flood which in thy ebb and flow
 Claspest the limits of morality!   --Shelley.
 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.”
    Painting was then at its lowest ebb.   --Dryden.
 Ebb and flow, the alternate ebb and flood of the tide; often used figuratively.
    This alternation between unhealthy activity and depression, this ebb and flow of the industrial.   --A. T. Hadley.


 Ebb v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ebbed p. pr. & vb. n. Ebbing.]
 1. To flow back; to return, as the water of a tide toward the ocean; -- opposed to flow.
    That Power who bids the ocean ebb and flow.   --Pope.
 2. To return or fall back from a better to a worse state; to decline; to decay; to recede.
    The hours of life ebb fast.   --Blackmore.
 Syn: -- To recede; retire; withdraw; decay; decrease; wane; sink; lower.


 Ebb, v. t. To cause to flow back. [Obs.]


 Ebb, a. Receding; going out; falling; shallow; low.
    The water there is otherwise very low and ebb.   --Holland.

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 ebb
      n 1: a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
           [syn: ebbing, wane]
      2: the outward flow of the tide [syn: reflux]
      v 1: flow back or recede; "the tides ebbed at noon" [syn: {ebb
           away, ebb down, ebb out, ebb off] [ant: tide]
      2: hem in fish with stakes and nets so as to prevent them from
         going back into the sea with the ebb
      3: fall away or decline; "The patient's strength ebbed away"