Part 472

{ ||Dol"ce (?), Dol`ce*men"te (?), } adv. [It., fr. L. dulcis sweet, soft.] (Mus.) Softly; sweetly; with soft, smooth, and delicate execution.

||Dol*ci"no (?), or ||Dul*ci"no (&?;), n. [Cf. It. dolcigno sweetish.] (Mus.) A small bassoon, formerly much used. Simmonds.

Dol"drums (dl"drmz), 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.

To be in the doldrums, to be in a state of listlessness ennui, or tedium.

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

And she died. So that day there was dole in Astolat.

Tennyson.

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

Dole, n. [AS. dl portion; same word as d&?;l. See Deal.] 1. Distribution; dealing; apportionment.

At her general dole, Each receives his ancient soul.

Cleveland.

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

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3. Alms; charitable gratuity or portion.

So sure the dole, so ready at their call, They stood prepared to see the manna fall.

Dryden.

Heaven has in store a precious dole.

Keble.

4. A boundary; a landmark. Halliwell.

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

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.

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

The supercilious condescension with which even his reputed friends doled out their praises to him.

De Quincey.

Dole"ful (?), a. Full of dole or grief; expressing or exciting sorrow; sorrowful; sad; dismal.

With screwed face and doleful whine.

South.

Regions of sorrow, doleful shades.