dotage

NOUN

[/ˈdoʊtɪdʒ/]

a state or period of senile decay marked by decline of mental poise and alertness

💡 Concept

an elderly man sits in his armchair looking confused while holding his glasses upside down. He squints at a family photo but cannot recognize the people in it. His adult granddaughter kneels beside him with a worried expression, gently pointing at herself in the photo. The old man's vacant stare shows he doesn't understand who she is anymore. A walking cane lies forgotten on the floor beside scattered pill bottles. The granddaughter's sad but patient smile reflects years of watching his condition worsen. the state of senile decay marked by decline of mental poise and alertness

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈdoʊtɪdʒ/

🇬🇧 UK/ˈdəʊtɪdʒ/

🌳Etymology

Rootdote

Suffix--age

Origin

From Middle English 'doten' meaning 'to act foolishly or be silly,' which evolved to describe the mental decline that can come with old age.

Breakdown

dote (to be excessively fond or act foolishly) + -age (noun suffix indicating state or condition)

🎵Rhyme

cottageshortagefootage

cottage

shortage

footage

🔗Collocations

in one's dotage

enter dotage

senile dotage

fall into dotage

signs of dotage

📝Examples

“Despite being in his dotage, the old king refused to abdicate the throne.”

😄 Fun example

“My grandfather claims he's not in his dotage, but he tried to microwave his slippers yesterday.”

“The wealthy businessman left his fortune to charity, fearing his children would claim he was in his dotage.”

😄 Fun example

“In her dotage, she still insisted on driving, though she confused the gas pedal with the brake twice last week.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

senilitydecrepitudesenescencesecond childhood

Antonyms

youthvigorsharpness

dotesenileelderlygeriatricaged

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dotage — a state or period of senile decay marked by decline of mental poise and alertness

Example Sentences