ebb vs retreat

ebb

verb
  • to flow back or recede 

  • to fish with stakes and nets that serve to prevent the fish from getting back into the sea with the ebb 

  • To cause to flow back. 

  • to fall away or decline 

noun
  • A European bunting, the corn bunting (Emberiza calandra, syns. Emberiza miliaria, Milaria calandra). 

  • The receding movement of the tide. 

  • A gradual decline. 

  • A low state; a state of depression. 

adj
  • low, shallow 

retreat

verb
  • To slope back. 

  • To withdraw military forces 

  • To shrink back due to generally warmer temperatures. 

  • To withdraw from a position, go back. 

  • a retreating forehead 

noun
  • A peaceful, quiet place affording privacy or security. 

  • The act of reversing direction and receding from a forward position. 

  • A bugle call or drumbeat signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset, as on a military base. 

  • A military ceremony to lower the flag. 

  • The move of a piece from a threatened position. 

  • A period of retirement, seclusion, or solitude. 

  • A period of meditation, prayer or study. 

  • The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant. 

  • A signal for a military withdrawal. 

  • Withdrawal by military force from a dangerous position or from enemy attack. 

How often have the words ebb and retreat occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )