Crossword clues for doldrums
doldrums
- A belt of calms and light winds between the northern and southern trade winds of the Atlantic and Pacific
- A state of inactivity (in business or art etc)
- Becalmed state
- Vessels covering former parts of ocean tricky for sailors
- State of stagnation
- State of inactivity or stagnation
- Liberal party at first beats a depressing situation
- Leaders of drinking society drink vintage liquor for melancholy
- Period of depression - horse latitudes
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
doldrums \dol"drums\ (d[o^]l"dr[u^]mz), 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.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1811, from dulled, past participle of dullen, from Old English dol "foolish, dull," ending perhaps patterned on tantrum.
Wiktionary
n. 1 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 2 the state of boredom, malaise, apathy or lack of interest; a state of listlessness; ennui, or tedium
WordNet
n. 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]
a belt of calms and light winds between the northern and southern trade winds of the Atlantic and Pacific [syn: the doldrums]
Wikipedia
The doldrums is a colloquial expression derived from historical maritime usage, which refers to those parts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean affected by the Intertropical Convergence Zone, a low-pressure area around the equator where the prevailing winds are calm. The doldrums are also noted for calm periods when the winds disappear altogether, trapping sail-powered boats for periods of days or weeks. The term appears to have arisen in the eighteenth century, when cross- equator sailing voyages became more common. Since this zone is the meeting place of two trade winds, it is also called intertropical convergence zone.
The Doldrums, also called the "equatorial calms", are the calms and light baffling winds at the intertropical convergence zone.
Doldrums may also refer to:
Doldrums were an American post-rock band formed in Fairfax, Virginia, United States. Formed in 1994, the group consisted of guitarist Justin Chearno, bassist Bill Kellum and drummer Matt Kellum. Most of the band's music is completely improvised, with little or no overdubs. Bill Kellum has cited psychedelic music and krautrock as being particularly influential to him. The band never toured and has not released an album since 2000's Feng Shui.
Usage examples of "doldrums".
She lifts him out of his doldrums, saves him from ennui, saves him from his own stodgy self.
When I reported the Implacable coming in, I also told General Crespin of our training mission and mentioned that Doldrums would be a good site to stage a regrouping.
She tried to imagine the heat of the middle passage when the ship lay becalmed in the baking doldrums, she tried to imagine 2,000 Of them vomiting and purging with seasickness as the ship reared and plunged in the wild seas where the Mozambique current scoured the Agulhas bank.
When they reach the broad zone of calms and variable winds that lies somewhat north of the equator, between the northeast and the south-east trades, the zone that the French mariner so emphatically calls the pot au noir, the pitch-pot, they say that the ship is in the doldrums, as though she were low-spirited, profoundly melancholy, and she lying there with idly flapping sails in the damp oppressive heat, under a cloudy sky.
It was only when far out to sea that he discovered she was an illicit slave trader, sailing down to Dakar for slaves and then across the lower Atlantic and the doldrums to Savannah, the men, women and children crushed belowdecks like maggots.
While he slept, the wind continued to blow eastward and at dawn it still pushed the ship on, though by intermittent light waftings, until midday when it ceased entirely and the ship drifted hi the doldrums.
John's skilful navigation she made good her westings before attempting to cross the belt of the doldrums at their narrowest point.