(n. pl.) A part of the ocean near the equator, abounding in calms, squalls, and light, baffling winds, which sometimes prevent all progress for weeks; -- so called by sailors.

anticyclone antitrades apathy blahs blue devils blues boredom calm cold storage dead calm deathlike calm dejection depression disinterest dismals dolefuls dormancy dumps ennui flat calm gloom horse latitudes inactivity indifference intermission interruption latency listlessness lull megrims mopes mulligrubs mumps oily calm polar easterlies prevailing westerlies quiescence quiescency retardation roaring forties slump stagnation sulks suspension trade wind trades wind-equator windlessness yawn