Definition

1. Verb:
   • To show excessive love or fondness: To express affection in an overly indulgent or uncritical way, often to the point of being foolish.
   • To be in one's dotage; to be senile: (Archaic) To show a decline in mental faculties, especially due to old age.

Usage

• The verb "dote" is almost always used with the prepositions "on" or "upon" when meaning to show excessive affection (e.g., someone).
• The second, archaic meaning is used without a preposition (e.g., ).

Examples

• Verb (with 'on/upon'):
  • New parents often dote on their first child.
  • The old man dotes upon his little dog, buying it fancy treats.
• Verb (archaic meaning):
  • In the story, the king had begun to dote and was easily misled by his advisors.

Advanced Usage

• "Dotage" (n): The period of life when one is old and weak, especially showing a decline in mental sharpness. This noun is related to the archaic verb sense.
  • He was a wise leader, but in his dotage, he made several poor decisions.
• "Doting" (adj): Excessively fond and indulgent.
  • She is a doting grandmother who spoils her grandchildren.

Variants and Related Words

• Dotard (n): (Archaic, derogatory) An old person, especially one who is weak and senile.
• Doting (adj): As above.

Synonyms

• Adore: To love deeply and respectfully. (Less negative connotation than "dote").
• Idolize: To admire or love to an excessive degree.
• Pamper: To indulge with excessive care and attention. (Focuses on the action, not the feeling).
• Fawn over: To display exaggerated affection or flattery.

Antonyms

• Neglect: To fail to care for properly.
• Ignore: To refuse to take notice of.
• Despise: To look on with scorn or contempt.

Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Dote on/upon (someone/something): This is the primary construction for the modern meaning.
  • It's lovely to see how much you dote on your niece, but try not to spoil her.

Verb

1. shower with love; show excessive affection for
   • Grandmother dotes on her the twins
2. be foolish or senile due to old age