neap Hear it!

neap¹ Definition

neap (nēp)

adjective

designating a type of tide that occurs after the first and third quarters of the lunar month: at these times the high tides are lower and the low tides are higher than the corresponding tides during spring tide because of the gravitational effects of the right-angled alignment of the moon, earth, and sun

Etymology: ME neep < OE nep- in nepflod, neap tide

noun

neap tide

neap² Definition

neap (nēp)

noun

Dialectal the tongue of a wagon drawn by two animals

Etymology: prob. < ON, as in Norw dial. neip, forked pole

neap Usage Examples

Converse of object

approach: The tides were still approaching neaps, so it should be easier than on our arrival.

Adjective modifier

  • low: The Gray Herons had left the meadows to feed at the low tide neaps on the River Adur north of the fly-over.
  • small: This was a surprise since the tide runs at several knots even on the smallest neap.

Modifies a noun

  • tide: At low water during neap tides hardly any part of the rock is visible.
  • range: Gangways The mean spring range in Dover is 6.0 meters and the mean neap range 3.2 meters.
  • speed: The spring and neap speeds for each site for ebb and floods experienced throughout the 12.4 tidal cycle were captured.
  • condition: Upper bank deposition occurred predominantly during periods of high tidal range, even tho inundation still occurs at this elevation under neap tide conditions.

Noun used with modifier

  • water: Harbor Depths The harbor is tidal with a sandy bottom although movement during low water neaps is no problem for the shallow drafted boat.
  • tide: The Gray Herons had left the meadows to feed at the low tide neaps on the River Adur north of the fly-over.