English Explanatory Dictionary

dote

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To be weakly or foolishly fond of somebody.
  2. To act in a foolish manner; to be senile.
  3. To rot, decay.
noun
  1. A darling, a cutie.
  2. An imbecile; a dotard.
  3. Decay in a tree.
noun
  1. Dowry.
verb
  1. To endow, donate.

Pronunciation

dōt /dəʊt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-dote.wav /doʊt/

Word forms

dote dotes doting doted doat

Etymology

The verb is derived from Middle English doten, from Middle Low German doten (“to be foolish”) or Middle Dutch doten (“to be silly”). Doublet of doit (Scottish English). The noun in the sense of "imbecile" is derived from Middle English dote (“simpleton”), itself from doten (see above). The noun in the sense of "darling" and "decay" is derived from the modern verb.

Synonyms

adore love mimmerkin dobby

Derived words

dotage fordote dote over dotard dotterel dodipole dotary dotel dotery dotish doty
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