Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1700-1800
Origin: Perhaps from dold 'stupid' (1400-1500)

doldrums

 noun
     
dol‧drums [plural] informal
a) if an industry, company, activity etc is in the doldrums, it is not doing well or developing
in the doldrums
The property market has been in the doldrums for months.
Recent economic doldrums have damaged the rural west.
b) if you are in the doldrums, you are feeling sad:
Fay is in the doldrums today.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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