Definition of DOTE

dote

Meanings

Plural: dotes

Verb

  • be foolish or senile due to old age
  • shower with love; show excessive affection for
    • "Grandmother dotes on her the twins"
  • To be weakly or foolishly fond of somebody.
  • To act in a foolish manner; to be senile.
  • To rot, decay.
  • To endow, donate.

Noun

  • A darling, a cutie.
  • An imbecile; a dotard.
  • Decay in a tree.
  • Dowry.

Origin / 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.

Scrabble Score: 5

dote is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
dote is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
dote is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 5

dote is a valid Words With Friends word