dol

a. [ L. dolabra a mattock + -form. ] Shaped like the head of an ax or hatchet, as some leaves, and also certain organs of some shellfish.

{ ‖ } adv. [ It., fr. L. dulcis sweet, soft. ] (Mus.) Softly; sweetly; with soft, smooth, and delicate execution.

n. pl. [ Cf. Gael. doltrum grief, vexation? ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

To be in the doldrums, to be in a state of listlessness ennui, or tedium. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. deol, doel, dol, OF. doel, fr. doloir to suffer, fr. L. dolere; perh. akin to dolare to hew. ] grief; sorrow; lamentation. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

And she died.
So that day there was dole in Astolat. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Doled p. pr. & vb. n. Doling. ] To deal out in small portions; to distribute, as a dole; to deal out scantily or grudgingly. [ 1913 Webster ]

The supercilious condescension with which even his reputed friends doled out their praises to him. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. dolus: cf. F. dol. ] (Scots Law) See Dolus. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. dāl portion; same word as d&aemacr_;l. See Deal. ] 1. Distribution; dealing; apportionment. [ 1913 Webster ]

At her general dole,
Each receives his ancient soul. Cleveland. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is dealt out; a part, share, or portion also, a scanty share or allowance. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Alms; charitable gratuity or portion. [ 1913 Webster ]

So sure the dole, so ready at their call,
They stood prepared to see the manna fall. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Heaven has in store a precious dole. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A boundary; a landmark. Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A void space left in tillage. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Dole beer, beer bestowed as alms. [ Obs. ] --
Dole bread, bread bestowed as alms. [ Obs. ] --
Dole meadow, a meadow in which several persons have a common right or share. --
on the dole, receiving financial assistance from a governmental agency, such as a welfare agency; as, after his unemployment benefits ran out, his family was on the dole for a year. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

a. Full of dole or grief; expressing or exciting sorrow; sorrowful; sad; dismal. [ 1913 Webster ]

With screwed face and doleful whine. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

Regions of sorrow, doleful shades. Milton.

Syn. -- Piteous; rueful; sorrowful; woeful; melancholy; sad gloomy; dismal; dolorous; woe-begone.

-- Dole"ful*ly, adv. -- Dole"ful*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]