doldrums

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doldrums

doldrums or equatorial belt of calms, area around the earth centered slightly north of the equator between the two belts of trade winds. The large amount of solar radiation that arrives at the earth in this area causes intense heating of the land and ocean. This heating results in the rising of warm, moist air; low air pressure; cloudiness; high humidity; light, variable winds; and various forms of severe weather, such as thunderstorms and squalls. Hurricanes originate in this region. The doldrums are also noted for calms, periods when the winds disappear, trapping sailing vessels for days or weeks.

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doldrums

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Â© The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology 1996, originally published by Oxford University Press 1996. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

doldrums XIX. prob. orig. dial. or sl. f. dol DULL.

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T. F. HOAD. "doldrums." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 22 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "doldrums." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (December 22, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-doldrums.html

T. F. HOAD. "doldrums." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved December 22, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-doldrums.html

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A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | | Â© A Dictionary of Earth Sciences 1999, originally published by Oxford University Press 1999. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

doldrums The oceanic equatorial zone, which has low pressure and light, variable winds. The zone moves seasonally north and south of the equator.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "doldrums." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 22 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "doldrums." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (December 22, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-doldrums.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "doldrums." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved December 22, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-doldrums.html

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