Dotage

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

ˈdəʊtɪdʒ (British English), ˈdoʊtɪdʒ (American English)

Definitions

1. The period of life in which a person is old and weak.
2. Foolish or excessive affection, often associated with old age.

Usage Examples

• He spent his dotage writing memoirs of his youth.
• In her dotage, she often reminisced about her childhood.
• The old man, in his dotage, showed great affection for his grandchildren.

Etymology

Derived from Middle English 'doten', meaning to dote or be foolish, combined with the suffix '-age', indicating a state or condition. First recorded in the 14th century.

Synonyms

• Senility
• Decrepitude
• Feebleness
• Old age
• Second childhood

Antonyms

• Youth
• Vigor
• Vitality
• Strength

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• British English: ˈdəʊtɪdʒ
• American English: ˈdoʊtɪdʒ
• Indian English: ˈdəʊtɪdʒ

Historical Usage

The term 'dotage' has been in use since the 14th century to denote the mental decline associated with aging.

Cultural Nuances

In literature and art, dotage is often depicted as a time of vulnerability and nostalgia, especially in classical and Victorian works.

More Information

Dotage typically refers to the later years of a person's life when mental faculties begin to decline. The word carries connotations of both physical frailty and sentimental affection. In historical and literary contexts, dotage is often associated with wisdom or foolishness, depending on the portrayal. It remains a common metaphor for the inevitable process of aging.