doldrums

Meaning

Noun

• Usually preceded by the: a state of apathy or lack of interest; a situation where one feels boredom, ennui, or tedium; a state of listlessness or malaise.
• Usually preceded by the: the state of a sailing ship when it is impeded by calms or light, baffling winds, and is unable to make progress.
• Usually preceded by the: a part of the ocean near the equator where calms, squalls, and light, baffling winds are common.
• Plural of doldrum

Origin

• From obsolete doldrum plus the plural suffix -s. Doldrum is possibly derived from dull or Middle English dold (past participle of dullen, dollen, from dul, dol, dolle; see further at dull), modelled after tantrum.