Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ

A.Word.A.Day--doldrums

doldrums (DOLE-druhmz) noun (used with a singular or plural verb).

1. A period of stagnation or slump. A period of depression or unhappy listlessness.

2. A region of the ocean near the equator, characterized by calms, light winds, or squalls. The weather conditions characteristic of these regions of the ocean.

[Alteration (influenced by tantrum), of obsolete doldrum, dullard, from Middle English dold, past participle of dullen, to dull, from dul, dull.]

"Mechai stressed that although small farms could serve as temporary shelters during the economic doldrums, the focus of providing gainful employment should be directed at environmental-preservation projects, such as afforestation."
Scheme Aims at Stronger Thai Society; The Nation; Feb 9, 1998.

"In between, seasonally shifting weather patterns affect windflows and produce doldrums and cyclones. Ships plying these waters must also allow for the changing current flows that closely coincide with the wind patterns."
Melinda W. Cooke; Indian Ocean Countries; Countries of the World; Jan 1991.

This week's theme: words about oceans and seas.

X-Bonus