tidal

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   of or relating to or caused by tides

   Tidal wave.

2. 2
   adj

   Relating to tides.

   Since then, the length of an Earth day has slowed to its present 24 hours due to the fact that the moon's gravitational pull "steals" some of energy Earth uses to spin, in addition to causing tidal friction, according to the Institute.

From tide + -al. Probably a hybrid formation within English. Alternatively it might be from an unattested British Medieval Latin *tīdālis, derived from rare tīda, from Old English tīd. The usual Latin word for “tidal” is aestuālis.

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