Middle English Dictionary Entry
ebbinge ger.
Entry Info
| Forms | ebbinge ger. Also hebbing. |
| Etymology |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Of the sea: the act of ebbing; also fig., recession, decline.
Associated quotations
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)177 : And for swiche flode and for swich ebbinge þe prophete nemmeð þis woreld se.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)329a/b : Contynual ebbyng and flowyng of þe see comeþ and goþ, and falleþ and comeþ eft aȝein.
- (1430) Astr.Cal.in Palaeog.Soc.ser.2.172b : Þis cowrse kepe þe see in ebbyng and floyng after þe moyn.
- a1500 St.Jerome (Lamb 432)335/41 : Rather shall the see sease ebbing and fflowing, than thou shuldest vnderstond the leest parte..of Joyes..that blessid soulis haue in heuen.
2.
In phrase ebbing wer, a weir for trapping fish at ebb tide.
Associated quotations
- (1472) Statutes Realm2.441 : Fishgarthez, molyns, milledammez..lokkez, hebbyngwerez.
- (1472-5) RParl.6.159a : Dyvers and many Weeres, Fisshgarthes..Lokkes, Hebbyng weeres.