dotage

[ doh-tij ]

noun

1. a decline of mental faculties, especially as associated with old age; senility.
2. excessive fondness; foolish affection.

dotage

/ ˈdəʊtɪdʒ /

noun

1. feebleness of mind, esp as a result of old age
2. foolish infatuation

Word History and Origins

Origin of dotage¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; dote, -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of dotage¹

C14: from dote + -age

Example Sentences

We meet Bob in his dotage; retired from life as a librarian, he stumbles into a new sense of purpose as a senior-center volunteer.

From Los Angeles Times

Charles took over the family business well past normal retirement age, while Amis was denied the illustrious dotage that great writers deserve.

From New York Times

However, she said the North wouldn’t simply dismiss his words as a “nonsensical remark from the person in his dotage.”

From Seattle Times

The generations of theatergoers who grew up on book musicals, replete with original songs that were written in a distinctive Broadway style, with roots in operetta and Tin Pan Alley, are in their dotage now.

From Washington Post

That’s why some version of “retirement” may be available to you even if you haven’t socked away much for your dotage.

From Los Angeles Times