tide: Meaning and Definition of

tide

Pronunciation: (tīd), [key]
— n., v., tid•ed, tid•ing.
—n.
  1. the periodic rise and fall of the waters of the ocean and its inlets, produced by the attraction of the moon and sun, and occurring about every 12 hours.
  2. the inflow, outflow, or current of water at any given place resulting from the waves of tides.
  3. See
  4. a stream or current.
  5. anything that alternately rises and falls, increases and decreases, etc.: the tide of the seasons.
  6. current, tendency, or drift, as of events or ideas: the tide of international events.
  7. any extreme or critical period or condition: The tide of her illness is at its height.
  8. a season or period in the course of the year, day, etc. (now used chiefly in combination): wintertide; eventide.
  9. a period of time that includes and follows an anniversary, festival, etc.
  10. a suitable time or occasion.
  11. an extent of time.
  12. to reverse the course of events, esp. from one extreme to another: The Battle of Saratoga turned the tide of the American Revolution.
—v.i.
  1. to flow as the tide; flow to and fro.
  2. to float or drift with the tide.
—v.t.
  1. to carry, as the tide does.
    1. to assist in getting over a period of difficulty or distress.
    2. to surmount (a difficulty, obstacle, etc.); survive.

tide

Pronunciation: (tīd), [key]
— tid•ed, tid•ing.
  1. to happen or befall.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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