neap

¹ American  

[neep] / nip /

adjective

1. designating tides midway between spring tides that attain the least height.

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noun

1. neap tide.

neap ² American  

[neep] / nip /

noun

New England.

1. the pole or tongue of a cart, wagon, etc., drawn by two animals side by side.

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neap British  

/ niːp /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or constituting a neap tide

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noun

1. short for neap tide

Etymology

Origin of neap¹

before 900; Middle English neep, Old English nēp-, in nēpflōd neap tide

Origin of neap²

1545–55 origin uncertain

Example Sentences

The smallest tides, called neap tides, occur when the Sun is at a 90º angle to the Earth-Moon alignment.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Last week's was not only ebb but neap tide.

From Time Magazine Archive

There was a neap tide, and the current was near slack.

From Time Magazine Archive

It was remarked to-day, with no small demonstration of joy, that the tide, being neap, did not, for the first time, overflow the building at high-water.

From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 16 (of 25) by Stevenson, Robert Louis

It would not measure more than a league in length, but its breadth varied wonderfully, according as it was seen at high or low water, at spring tide or neap tide.

From The Marquis of Pe?alta (Marta y Mar?a) A Realistic Social Novel by Palacio Vald?s, Armando