tide

¹tide

noun \ˈtīd\

Definition of TIDE

1

a obsolete : a space of time : period b : a fit or opportune time : opportunity c : an ecclesiastical anniversary or festival; also : its season —usually used in combination <Eastertide>

2

a (1) : the alternate rising and falling of the surface of the ocean and of water bodies (as gulfs and bays) connected with the ocean that occurs usually twice a day and is the result of differing gravitational forces exerted at different parts of the earth by another body (as the moon or sun) (2) : a less marked rising and falling of an inland body of water (3) : a periodic movement in the earth's crust caused by the same forces that produce ocean tides (4) : a periodic distortion on one celestial body caused by the gravitational attraction of another (5) : one of the periodic movements of the atmosphere resembling those of the ocean and produced by gravitation or diurnal temperature changes b : flood tide 1

3

a : something that fluctuates like the tides of the sea <the tide of public opinion> b : a large and increasing quantity or volume <a tide of opportunists> <a swelling tide of criticism>

4

a : a flowing stream : current b : the waters of the ocean c : the overflow of a flooding stream

— tide·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of TIDE

1. a chart of the tides
2. The boat got swept away in the tide.

Origin of TIDE

Middle English, time, from Old English tīd; akin to Old High German zīt time and perhaps to Greek daiesthai to divide

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to TIDE

Synonyms: current, direction, drift, leaning, run, tendency, trend, wind

Related Words: curve, downside, shift, swing, turn, turnabout, upside; custom, habit, propensity, tenor, way; countercurrent, countertrend; undercurrent, undertow

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Other Oceanography Terms

littoral, sound

Rhymes with TIDE

bide, bride, chide, eyed, fried, glide, guide, hide, pied, pride, ride, side, slide, snide, stride, thighed, tried, wide