Dote: meaning, definitions and examples
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dote
[ doʊt ]
showing affection
To dote means to show excessive love or fondness for someone, often to the point of being overly indulgent. This term is commonly used when discussing the affection a parent or grandparent might show towards their children or grandchildren.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She doted on her grandchildren, showering them with gifts.
- He tends to dote on his wife, always planning surprises for her.
- The old lady was known to dote on her pets excessively.
obsolete term
Dote can also refer to a state of being foolish or excessively fond, derived from a time when the term was more allegorical in nature. This usage is largely historical and not commonly found in modern language.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- In his old age, he became a dote, forgetting the reality around him.
- Her friends often joked that she was a dote for spending so much time on trivial matters.
Translations
Translations of the word "dote" in other languages:
🇵🇹 ponto
🇮🇳 बिंदु
🇩🇪 Punkt
🇮🇩 titik
🇺🇦 крапка
🇵🇱 kropka
🇯🇵 ドット
🇫🇷 point
🇪🇸 punto
🇹🇷 nokta
🇰🇷 점
🇸🇦 نقطة
🇨🇿 tečka
🇸🇰 bod
🇨🇳 点
🇸🇮 pika
🇮🇸 punkt
🇰🇿 нүкте
🇬🇪 წერტილი
🇦🇿 nöqtə
🇲🇽 punto
Etymology
The term 'dote' originates from the Middle English word 'doten', which means to act foolishly or be in a state of dotage. The etymology can be traced back to the Old English 'dotian', which conveys a sense of foolishness or becoming weak-minded due to age. As time progressed, 'dote' evolved to primarily describe the act of showing affection, especially in a manner that is excessive or even foolish. Its meanings have shifted over centuries, reflecting changes in cultural attitudes towards love and care, and becoming closely associated with familial bonds, particularly in the context of grandparental love.