what is an ebb

Ebb refers to the receding or outgoing tide, occurring between the time when the tide is highest and the time when the following tide is lowest. It is the opposite of flood, which is the incoming or rising tide. Ebb can also be used to describe a point or condition of decline, decay, or fading away. For example, if a physical or emotional feeling ebbs, it becomes less strong or disappears. The phrase "ebb and flow" is often used to describe the cyclical changing of the tides from low to high and back to low again.