tide
tide1 definition
tide (tīd)
noun
- Obsolete a period of time: now only in combination Eastertide, eventide
Etymology: prob. infl. by MLowG or MDu
- the alternate rise and fall of the surface of oceans, seas, and the bays, rivers, etc. connected with them, caused by the attraction of the moon and sun: it may occur twice in each period of 24 hours and 50 minutes, which is the time of one rotation of the earth with respect to the moon
- flood tide
- something that rises and falls like the tide
- a stream, current, etc. or trend, tendency, etc. the tide of public opinion
- the period during which something is at its highest or fullest point
- Archaic an opportune time or occasion
Etymology: ME, tide, time, season < OE tid, time; akin to Ger zeit < IE *dī-, var. of base *da(i)-, to part, divide up > time, Sans dāti, (he) cuts off, Gr dēmos, district, people
adjective
intransitive verb tided tid′ed, tiding tid′·ing
- to flow or surge like a tide
- Naut. to drift with the tide, esp. in moving into or out of a harbor, river, etc.
transitive verb
to carry with or as with the tide
tide Idioms
tide over
to help along temporarily, as through a period of difficulty
turn the tide
to reverse a condition
tide2 definition
tide (tīd)
Browse dictionary definitions near tide
Also Mentioned In