dote

[ doht ]

verb (used without object)

, dot·ed, dot·ing.

1. to bestow or express excessive love or fondness habitually (usually followed by on or upon ):

   They dote on their youngest daughter.

2. to show a decline of mental faculties, especially associated with old age.

noun

1. decay of wood.

dote

/ dəʊt /

verb

1. foll byon or upon to love to an excessive or foolish degree
2. to be foolish or weak-minded, esp as a result of old age

Derived Forms

• ˈdoter, noun

Other Words From

• doter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dote¹

1175–1225; Middle English doten “to behave foolishly, become feeble-minded”; cognate with Middle Dutch doten

Word History and Origins

Origin of dote¹

C13: related to Middle Dutch doten to be silly, Norwegian dudra to shake

Example Sentences

"Two was quite enough - it was absolutely wonderful," says the now doting mum, from Biggleswade.

From BBC

"His family have lost a loving and doting father, husband, and son," he said.

From BBC

Cardi, 31, shared the little girl’s birth date along with a series of hospital photos, including one of herself breastfeeding and others showing her family doting on the newborn.

From Los Angeles Times

She said the children "doted on their daddy".

From BBC

She also had to get used to the idea of who Lydia had become: a widowed mother with a surly unfun daughter who doesn’t believe in ghosts, dating a suspiciously doting hanger-on.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cherish