Tide

Tide

Tide

Periodic rising and falling of water resulting from gravitational attraction of the moon, sun and other astronomical bodies acting upon the rotating earth. Although the accompanying horizontal movement of the water resulting from the same cause is also sometimes called tide, it is preferable to designate the latter as tidal current, reserving the name Tide for vertical movement. (US Army Corps of Engineers, Low Cost Shore Protection: A Property Owner's Guide, 2004)