A state of listlessness or depression; a period of stagnation or inactivity. Originally referred to a region near the equator where sailing ships were often becalmed.
From 'doldrum' (19th century), possibly from 'dull' + '-drum' (as in tantrum). The nautical meaning came from the equatorial region where ships would sit motionless due to lack of wind, leading to the figurative sense of being 'stuck.'
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