Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary -- Volume DE-- 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. 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. That Power who bids the ocean ebb and flow. 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. Syn. -- To recede; retire; withdraw; decay; decrease; wane; sink; lower. Ebb, v. t. To cause to flow back. [Obs.] Ford. Ebb, a. Receding; going out; falling; shallow; low. The water there is otherwise very low and ebb. Ebb" tide` (?). The reflux of tide water; the retiring tide; -- opposed to flood tide. E"bi·o·nite (?), n. [Heb. ebyonīm poor people.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect of heretics, in the first centuries of the church, whose doctrine was a mixture of Judaism and Christianity. They denied the divinity of Christ, regarding him as an inspired messenger, and rejected much of the New Testament. E"bi·o·ni`tism (?), n. (Eccl. Hist.) The system or doctrine of the Ebionites. Eb"la·nin (?), n. (Chem.) See Pyroxanthin. Eb"lis (?), n. [Ar. iblis.] (Moham. Myth.) The prince of the evil spirits; Satan. [Written also Eblees.] |