Dictionary

neap tide en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈniːpˌtaɪd/
• (US) audio
• /ˈnɪpˌtaɪd/

Etymology

From neap + tide. Compare Danish niptid (“neap tide”), German Nipptide (“neap tide”), Old English nēpflōd (“neap tide”).

Meanings

1. The tide which occurs just after the first and third quarters of the moon, when there is least difference between high tide and low tide.
   • ... and neap tides (tides that occur during the first and third quarters of the moon and that have the least difference between high and low tides), ... 1995, Richard M. Schlenker, Sarah J. Yoshida, “Developing Science Activities”, in Science Activities, volume 32, number 2, page 34:
   • Rear Adm. Harry Hill, put in command of the amphibious force, consults with local mariners and reaches a cautious consensus that neap high tide in the lagoon on November 20 will surely be close to five feet deep. 1993 November 14, Michael Kernan, (Tarawa), “...heavy fire...unable to land...issue in doubt.”, in Smithsonian, volume 24, number 8, page 118:
   • Spring tides occur when the Sun and Moon line up, since the gravities of the two bodies add together to create larger tidal forces. Neap tides occur when the Sun and Moon are at right angles to one another as seen from Earth. In this case, the gravitational forces counteract each other, creating weaker tidal forces. 1992 July 14, Neil F. Comins, “A New Slant on Earth”, in Astronomy, volume 20, number 7, page 44:

Forms

Antonyms

spring tide

Translations (30)

pt maré de águas mortas (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · ru отлив (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · fr marée de morte eau (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · de Nipptide (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · ga mallmhuir (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · ceb ayaay (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · mi tai ninihi (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · ca marea de quadratura (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · ms pasang-surut anak (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · gd conntraigh (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · mi tai kōwāwā (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · af dooie gety (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · nl doodtij (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · bcl ayaay (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · ru малая вода (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · de Nippflut (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · mi tai kōwā (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · nb nippflo (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · cy llanw isel (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · mi taitai ririki (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · id pasang mati (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · id pasang perbani (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · pt maré de quadratura (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · el χαμηλή παλίρροια (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · fi vajaavuoksi (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · hu vakár (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · nrf morte-ieau (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · pt maré de quarto (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · gv traie (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter) · ca marea morta (tide which occurs when the moon is in its first or third quarter)