Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

dote

[doht]
See more synonyms for dote on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object), dot·ed, dot·ing. Also doat.
  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.
Show More
noun
  1. decay of wood.
Show More

Origin of dote

1175–1225; Middle English doten to behave foolishly, become feeble-minded; cognate with Middle Dutch doten.
Related formsdot·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for doter

Historical Examples

  • There are five varieties of them, the largest of which is the hood seal and the smallest the doter or harbour seal.

    Ungava Bob

    Dillon Wallace

British Dictionary definitions for doter

dote

now rarely doat

verb (intr)
  1. (foll by on or upon) to love to an excessive or foolish degree
  2. to be foolish or weak-minded, esp as a result of old age
Show More
Derived Formsdoter or now rarely doater, noun

Word Origin

C13: related to Middle Dutch doten to be silly, Norwegian dudra to shake
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for doter

dote

v.

c.1200, "to be feeble-minded from age," from Middle Low German doten "be foolish," of unknown origin. Meaning "to be infatuated" is from late 15c. Related: Doted; dotes; doting.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper