dote
/dəʊt
/verb [no object]
1 (dote on/upon) Be extremely and uncritically fond of: she doted on her two young children...
- He is a 42-year-old father who dotes on his three children.
- He was not my son Joshua's biological father but he doted on him and treated Joshua like his own son.
- He appeared to be a father who doted on his children, especially his little girl.
Synonyms
adore, love dearly, be devoted to, idolize, treasure, cherish, lavish affection on, worship, think very highly of, appreciate greatly, admire, hold dear, prize;
indulge, spoil, pamper
adoring, loving, amorous, besotted, infatuated, lovesick, passionate;
affectionate, fond, devoted, solicitous, caring, tender, warm, warm-hearted;
overindulgent, indulgent
informal lovey-dovey, touchy-feely
2 archaic Be silly or feeble-minded, especially as a result of old age: the parson is now old and dotes
noun Irish informal
A sweet or adorable person: he’s gorgeous and the twins are dotes...
- One grieving friend described him as ‘a pure dote.’
- They are not yet completely tame but a little love and patience would transform them into two dotes.
- He's an absolute dote and he got to know all of the Roses really well.
Derivatives
doter
- I can't explain it, other than to say that Jennifer was a doter.
Origin
Middle English (in the sense 'act or talk foolishly'): of uncertain origin; related to Middle Dutch doten 'be silly'.