doting
UK: ˈdəʊtɪŋ | US: ˈdoʊtɪŋ
adj. showing excessive fondness or love, often to the point of being foolish or uncritical
The word "doting" originates from the Middle English verb "doten," meaning "to be silly or feeble-minded," which later evolved to imply excessive affection, often with a connotation of irrationality. The suffix "-ing" transforms the verb into an adjective, describing someone who exhibits such behavior. The shift from "foolishness" to "excessive love" reflects how language repurposes terms to capture nuanced human behaviors.
The doting grandmother spoiled her grandchildren with endless treats.
His doting attention to his partner made their friends smile.
She wrote doting letters to her pet cat every week.
The king’s doting favoritism toward his youngest son caused political unrest.
Critics dismissed the film as a doting tribute to the director’s own legacy.