eb n. & v. --n. 1
the movement of the
tide out to
sea (also attrib. : ebb tide). 2 the process of draining
away of flood-water etc. --v.intr. (often foll. by away) 1 (of tidewater)
flow out to sea;
recede;
drain away. 2
decline;
run low (his
life was ebbing away). øat a low ebb in a
poor condition or
state of decline. ebb
and flow a continuing process of decline and
upturn in circumstances. on the ebb in decline. [OE ebba, ebbian]