horse latitudes

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.

horse latitudes

plural noun

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

horse latitudes

/ 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of horse latitudes¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of horse latitudes¹

C18: referring either to the high mortality of horses on board ship in these latitudes or to dead horse (nautical slang: advance pay), which sailors expected to work off by this stage of a voyage

Example Sentences

Are now in the "horse latitudes," but cannot complain; the trade has pushed us along bravely, and served us well.

From Project Gutenberg

The wind was gradually becoming lighter, and we knew we were nearing the doldrums, or horse latitudes.

From Project Gutenberg

Surface winds known as “westerlies” flow from the Horse Latitudes toward the poles.

From Project Gutenberg

The trade winds in two belts on the equatorial sides of the Horse Latitudes heat up as they move toward the Equator.

From Project Gutenberg

These slow movements in the "horse latitudes" were not distasteful to me.

From Project Gutenberg