doldrum

English

Etymology

The noun is possibly derived from dull or Middle English dold (past participle of dullen, dollen (“to make or become blunt or dull; to make or become dull-witted or stupid; to make or become inactive”), from dul, dol, dolle (“not sharp, blunt, dull; not quick-witted, stupid; lethargic, sluggish”); see further at dull), modelled after tantrum.

The adjective is probably derived from the noun.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈdɒldɹəm/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈdɑldɹəm/

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

• Hyphenation: dol‧drum

Noun

doldrum (plural doldrums)

1. (slang, obsolete) A slothful or stupid person.

   Synonyms: dullard; see also Thesaurus:idiot

   • 1817 April 30, William Hone, “Political Priestcraft, Continued, in another Epistle to the Rev. Dan[iel] Wilson, […]”, in Hone’s Reformists’ Register, and Weekly Commentary, volume I, number 15, London: Printed by J. D. Dewick, […]; published by William Hone, […], published 3 May 1817, →OCLC, columns 476–477:

     Were there no "tears and miseries," when the half-witted doldrums, thinking they were not big enough to be seen, put themselves on horseback, to bask and frolic in a procession, and meet their man-midwife, or surgeon, or whatever he is, who had left his business at Norwich, to go to London, for the purpose of administering their little nostrum to the Prince Regent?

Derived terms

• doldrums

Adjective

doldrum (comparative more doldrum, superlative most doldrum)

1. Boring, uninteresting.

   Synonym: humdrum

   She quit her doldrum job and left to seek a life of adventure.

Translations

boring, uninteresting — see boring,‎ uninteresting