Dotage - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Dotage refers to the period of old age when a person’s mental or physical abilities decline, often marked by weakness or senility. It can also imply excessive fondness or affection.
Definition:
The period of old age when someone is weak or senile, often marked by mental decline.
Synonyms:
senility, decrepitude, feebleness
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
youth, prime
Common Collocations:
old age, mental decline, advanced years
Derivatives:
dotard, dote (archaic)
Usage Tips:
Use "dotage" to describe the frail or mentally declining phase of old age, not just any old age.
Common Phrases:
in one's dotage, dotage of life
Etymology:
From Middle English "doten" (to dote) + "-age," implying a state of foolishness in old age.
Examples:
- 1. Her grandfather spent his dotage reminiscing about the past.
- 2. The king’s dotage left the kingdom vulnerable to rebellion.
- 3. She cared for her mother with patience during her dotage.
- 4. His dotage was marked by forgetfulness and confusion.