| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024horse′ lat′itudes, - Meteorologythe 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.
- 1765–75; probably as translation of Spanish golfo de las yeguas literally, mares' sea; explanation of the literal sense remains uncertain, despite numerous hypotheses
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: horse latitudes pl n - the latitudes near 30°N or 30°S at sea, characterized by baffling winds, calms, and high barometric pressure
Etymology: 18th Century: 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 |