The word “coffee” entered the English language in 1582 via the Dutch “koffie,” borrowed from the Ottoman Turkish “kahve,” borrowed in turn from the Arabic “qahwah.” The Arabic word qahwah was traditionally held to refer to a type of wine.
EBBS
Noun
ebbs
plural of ebb
Verb
ebbs
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of ebb
Source: Wiktionary
EBB
Ebb, n. (Zoöl.)
Definition: The European bunting.
Ebb, n. Etym: [AS. ebba; akin to Fries. ebba, D. eb, ebbe, Dan. & G. ebbe, Sw. ebb, cf. Goth. ibuks backward; prob. akin to E. even.]
1. The reflux or flowing back of the tide; the return of the tidal wave toward the sea; -- opposed to flood; as, the boats will go out on the ebb. Thou shoreless flood which in thy ebb and flow Claspest the limits of morality! Shelley.
2. The state or time of passing away; a falling from a better to a worse state; low state or condition; decline; decay. "Our ebb of life." Roscommon. Painting was then at its lowest ebb. Dryden. Ebb and flow, the alternate ebb and flood of the tide; often used figuratively. This alternation between unhealthy activity and depression, this ebb and flow of the industrial. A. T. Hadley.
Ebb, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ebbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Ebbing.] Etym: [AS. ebbian; akin to D. & G. ebben, Dan. ebbe. See 2d Ebb.]
1. To flow back; to return, as the water of a tide toward the ocean;
– opposed to flow. That Power who bids the ocean ebb and flow. Pope.
2. To return or fall back from a better to a worse state; to decline; to decay; to recede. The hours of life ebb fast. Blackmore.
Syn.
– To recede; retire; withdraw; decay; decrease; wane; sink; lower.
Ebb, v. t.
Definition: To cause to flow back. [Obs.] Ford.
Ebb, a.
Definition: Receding; going out; falling; shallow; low. The water there is otherwise very low and ebb. Holland.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
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22 February 2025
ANALYSIS
(noun) the use of closed-class words instead of inflections: e.g., ‘the father of the bride’ instead of ‘the bride’s father’
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