dol⋅drums
[dohl-druh
mz, dol-, dawl-]
) | 1. | a state of inactivity or stagnation, as in business or art: August is a time of doldrums for many enterprises. |
| 2. | the doldrums,
|
| 3. | a dull, listless, depressed mood; low spirits. |
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Doldrums
Dol"drums\, n. pl. [Cf. Gael. doltrum grief, vexation?] A part of the ocean near the equator, abounding in calms, squalls, and light, baffling winds, which sometimes prevent all progress for weeks; -- so called by sailors. To be in the doldrums, to be in a state of listlessness ennui, or tedium.Cite This Source
doldrums
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| doldrums (dōl'drəmz') Pronunciation Key
A region of the globe found over the oceans near the equator in the intertropical convergence zone and having weather characterized variously by calm air, light winds, or squalls and thunderstorms. Hurricanes originate in this region. |
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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doldrums
see in the doldrums.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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doldrums
equatorial regions of light ocean currents and winds within the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), a belt of converging winds and rising air encircling the Earth near the Equator. The northeast and southeast trade winds meet there; this meeting causes air uplift and often produces clusters of convective thunderstorms. They occur along the Equator in the Indian and western Pacific oceans and slightly north of the Equator off the African and Central American west coasts. The crews of sailing ships dreaded the doldrums because their ships were often becalmed there; the designation for the resultant state of depression was apparently thus extended to these geographic regions themselves.
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