dotage
UK: ˈdəʊtɪdʒ | US: ˈdoʊtɪdʒ
n. the period of life in which a person is old and weak, often accompanied by mental decline
n. excessive fondness or foolish affection, often due to senility
The word "dotage" originates from Middle English doten, meaning "to dote" or "to be foolishly affectionate," combined with the suffix -age, which denotes a state or condition. The root dot traces back to the notion of senile fondness or mental feebleness in old age. Over time, it evolved to describe both the physical decline of aging and the irrational tenderness often associated with it.
In his dotage, the retired professor often forgot the names of his closest friends.
Her dotage was marked by a childlike fascination with simple pleasures.
The king’s dotage led to poor decisions, much to the dismay of his advisors.
Despite his dotage, he remained deeply loved by his family.
The novel portrays the protagonist’s dotage with both humor and pathos.