Middle English Dictionary Entry
ebben, -in v.
Entry Info
| Forms | ebben, -in v. Form: perf. 3 is ebbed. |
| Etymology | OE ebbian. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Of the sea or inlets of the sea: to flow back or recede from flood stage, to ebb.
Associated quotations
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)143 : Þe sæ ebbeð and flowð.
- c1300 SLeg.Mich.(LdMisc 108)652 : Þe se..flowez and ebbez..þoruȝ kuynde of þe mone.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.61 : Lakus, ryueres, pondus, and oþere fresche wateres noþer ebbeþ ne floweþ as occean doþ.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)2.m.1.5 : Eurippe is an arm of the see that ebbeth and floweth.
- (1442) RParl.5.44a : Ther is..a commune Passage..by a streme called the Dike, in the Counte of York, that daiely ebbith and floweth.
- (1430) Astr.Cal.in Palaeog.Soc.ser.2.172b : Þen ebbyth þe see aȝayn qwylest þe moyn comme done to þe weste poynt of owre orizonte.
- c1475 Kynge of grace (Brm)107 : The see..rysyth, hebbyth, and flowyth For the stronge wynd that blowyth.
- a1500(?a1400) Torrent (Chet 8009)223 : The sea wase Ebbyd.
2.
Fig. To recede, decline, or decrease, esp. after a period or phase of advance, increase, or growth.
Associated quotations
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)161 : Ðis woreld is cleped sæ þe floweð and ebbeð. Swo doð ec þis woreld, floweð þanne he woreld-wunne ȝieueð, and ebbeð þanne hie hit eft binimeð.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)177 : On oðer wise floweð and ebbeð þis woreld. To-genes sumere heo floweð..Eft to-ȝanes wintre heo hebbeð.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.1145 : And ebben gan the welle Of hire teeris.
- c1475(c1399) Mum & S.(1) (Cmb Ll.4.14)206 : So vertue wolde flowe whan vicis were ebbid.
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.Deus NSF (Clg A.2)44 : Worldely weele..That floweth oft and ebbeth as the floode.