tides

tide ¹  (td)

n.

1.

a. The periodic variation in the surface level of the oceans and of bays, gulfs, inlets, and estuaries, caused by gravitational attraction of the moon and sun.

b. A specific occurrence of such a variation: awaiting the next high tide.

c. Flood tide.

2. Tidal force.

3. Something that fluctuates like the waters of the tide: a rising tide of discontent. See Synonyms at flow.

4. A time or season. Often used in combination: eventide; Christmastide; Shrovetide.

5. A favorable occasion; an opportunity.

v. tid·ed, tid·ing, tides

v.intr.

1. To rise and fall like the tide.

2. Nautical To drift or ride with the tide: tided off the reef; tiding up the Hudson.

v.tr.

To carry along with or as if with the tide.

Phrasal Verb:

tide over

To support through a difficult period: I asked for $100 to tide me over till payday.

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[Middle English, from Old English td, division of time; see d- in Indo-European roots.]

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tide ²  (td)

intr.v. tid·ed, tid·ing, tides Archaic

To betide; befall.

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[Middle English tiden, from Old English tdan; see d- in Indo-European roots.]

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tides

• river estuary - The mouth of a river that is influenced by the tides.
• ebb - Suggests the receding of something (e.g. tides) that commonly comes and goes.
• riptide - Is actually a current, not a tide.
• canonical hours - The seven canonical hours of the church were called tides, and tide—from an Indo-European root meaning "to divide"—is used with other words to denote a definite interval of time: noontide, Eastertide, eventide, summertide, etc.