Dotard
/ˈdəʊ.tɑːd/noun
An old person regarded as foolish, senile, or mentally enfeebled.
Did you know?The word is built from the old verb “dote,” which originally meant to behave foolishly or be mentally impaired, not to show romantic affection.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
Old English
dotian
“To be foolish, silly, or mentally dull.”
Middle English
English
doten
“To behave foolishly or suffer mental weakness, especially in old age.”
14th Century
English
dotard
“A foolish or senile person; formed with the agentive suffix -ard.”
16th Century
English
dotard
“An aged person viewed as weak-minded or foolish.”
Modern English
English
dotard
“An insulting term for an old person considered senile or foolish.”