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Diminution vs Ebb - What's the difference?

diminution | ebb | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between diminution and ebb

is that diminution is a lessening, decrease or reduction while ebb is the receding movement of the tide.

As a verb ebb is

to flow back or recede.

As an adjective ebb is

low, shallow.

diminution

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A lessening, decrease or reduction.
    • The new emission standards have produced a measurable diminution in air pollution.
  • (music) The shortening of the notes of a melody or theme.

    • Synonyms

    * diminishment

    Related terms

    * diminish * diminuendo

    ebb

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The receding movement of the tide.
    • The boats will go out on the ebb .
  • * (rfdate) Shelley
    • Thou shoreless flood which in thy ebb and flow / Claspest the limits of morality!
  • A gradual decline.
  • * (rfdate) Roscommon
    • Thus all the treasure of our flowing years, / Our ebb of life for ever takes away.
  • A low state; a state of depression.
  • * (rfdate) Dryden
    • Painting was then at its lowest ebb .
  • * 2002 , (Joyce Carol Oates), The New Yorker , 22 & 29 April
    • A "lowest ebb'" implies something singular and finite, but for many of us, born in the Depression and raised by parents distrustful of fortune, an "' ebb " might easily have lasted for years.
  • A European bunting, .

    • Derived terms

    * ebb and flow * ebb tide

    Antonyms

    * flood * flow

    Related terms

    * tide

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • to flow back or recede
    • The tides ebbed at noon .
  • to fall away or decline
    • The dying man's strength ebbed away .
  • to fish with stakes and nets that serve to prevent the fish from getting back into the sea with the ebb
  • To cause to flow back.
    • (Ford)

    Synonyms

    ebb away, ebb down, ebb off, ebb out, reflux, wane

    Adjective

    (er)
  • low, shallow
    • The water there is otherwise very low and ebb . (Holland)
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