Hypertext Webster Gateway: "doldrums"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
doldrums
n 1: a state of inactivity (in business or art etc); "economic
growth of less than 1% per year is considered to be
economic stagnation" [syn: {stagnation}, {stagnancy}]
2: a belt of calms and light winds between the northern and
southern trade winds of the Atlantic and Pacific [syn: {the
doldrums}]
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