Definition of the word dote on

The word "dote on" comes from the Middle English term "doten," which meant "to delight in excessively." This word, in turn, derived from the Old French word "doter," meaning "to show affection or kindness." "Doter" also had the meaning of "to bestow a portion of goods or money on a bride at the time of marriage," which is where we get the word "dowry." In the 14th century, the Old French term "doter" evolved into the Middle English word "doeten," which meant "to show dereliction, carelessness, or neglect" as well as "to appear foolish." The latter meaning likely came from the association of excessive love or affection with foolishness or naivety. By the 16th century, the term "doeten" had transformed into "dote," which was primarily used in the sense of "to be foolishly infatuated or obsessed with something or someone." It was later, in the 19th century, that the phrase "dote on" entered the English language, with the meaning of "to have an excessive fondness for or attachment to." Today, the word "dote on" is still commonly used in everyday speech, typifying its longevity in the English language.