TIDE. A regular periodical current of waters, setting alternately in a flux and reflux; it is owing to the attraction of the sun and moon, but chiefly to the latter. The highest as well as most rapid, perhaps, are in the Gulf of Fundy and the river Wye; and on the contrary the lowest, as well as feeblest, are in the Mediterranean generally.—To tide, is to work up or down a river or harbour, with a fair tide in a head wind or a calm; coming to anchor when the tide turns.
TIDE OR TIDAL HARBOUR. A port which can only be entered at a certain time of flood.
TIDE AND HALF-TIDE. Those roadsteads affected by several rivers or channels leading into them; as, for instance, Spithead.
TIDE-BALL. A ball hoisted to denote when the depth of water permits vessels to enter a bar-harbour, or to take the bar outside, from the known depth within.
TIDE-GATE. A place where the tide runs strong.
TIDE-GAUGE. An instrument contrived for measuring the height of the tides.
TIDE, Ebb of. The falling tide.
TIDE-POOL. A sort of basin worn in seaside rocks.
TIDE-RIP. Those short ripplings which result from eddies, or the passage of the tide over uneven bottom; also observed in the ocean where two currents meet, but not appearing to affect a ship's course.
TIDE-RODE. The situation of a vessel at anchor when she swings by the force of the tide. In opposition to wind-rode.