Dolling
/ˈdɒlɪŋ/noun
The act of dressing, grooming, or adorning oneself elaborately, usually in the phrase “dolling up.”
Did you know?The word doll began as a nickname for Dorothy before becoming the name of a toy and later a verb for making oneself look attractive.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Dōrotheos
“Gift of God; the masculine form behind Dorothea and Dorothy”
Late Antiquity
Greek
Dōrothea
“Gift of God; a feminine personal name”
Medieval Latin
Latin
Dorothea
“The name Dorothea, used in Christian Europe”
Middle English
English
Doll or Dolle
“A familiar diminutive or pet form of Dorothy”
16th Century
English
doll
“A small figure or toy, developing from the personal nickname”
18th Century
English
doll
“A person, especially a woman, regarded as attractive or fashionably dressed”
Modern English
English
dolling
“Dressing or grooming oneself elaborately; “dolling up””