horse latitudes

American  

plural noun

1. the latitudes, approximately 30° N and S, forming the edges of the trade-wind belt, characterized by high atmospheric pressure with calms and light variable winds.

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horse latitudes British  

plural noun

1. nautical the latitudes near 30°N or 30°S at sea, characterized by baffling winds, calms, and high barometric pressure

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horse latitudes Scientific  

/ hôrs /

1. Either of two regions of the globe, found over the oceans about 30 degrees north and south of the equator, where winds are light and the weather is hot and dry. They are associated with high atmospheric pressure and with the large-scale descent of cool dry air that spreads either toward the equator, as the trade winds, or toward the poles, as the westerlies.

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Etymology

Origin of horse latitudes

1765–75; probably as translation of Spanish golfo de las yeguas literally, mares' sea; explanation of the literal sense remains uncertain, despite numerous hypotheses

Example Sentences

Even in the more rational horse latitudes of Boston, balloonery is booming.

From Time Magazine Archive

After months in the horse latitudes, retail and auto sales are scudding along at a brisk pace.

From Time Magazine Archive

She was singularly fortunate, likewise, in crossing the "horse latitudes," not being becalmed there much over a week, a period hardly long enough to call into proper exercise the Christian virtues of patience and resignation.

From An Old Sailor's Yarns by Ames, N. (Nathaniel)

Every condition was as if arranged for a special occasion, or to recompense us for the tedium of the horse latitudes.

From From Sail to Steam, Recollections of Naval Life by Mahan, A. T. (Alfred Thayer)

This belt of calms, although familiar to sailors, to whom it is known as the "horse latitudes," is ill-defined on the land, where its presence is masked by changes due to local conditions.

From North America by Russell, Israel C. (Cook)