doter, doater
(ˈdəʊtə(r))
[f. dote v.1 + -er1: influenced by dotard.]
One who dotes.
1. A person of enfeebled intellect; a dotard.
| 1579–80 North Plutarch (1676) 910 He had never seen a greater doter then Phormio. 1615 J. Stephens Satyr. Ess. 138 These bee the comforts of being famous: let Doaters bee ambitious of it. c 1720 Earl of Ailesbury Mem. (1890) 607 A poor old doater. 1831 Lamb Let. Wks. (1865) xviii. 171 Munden dropped the old man, the doater. |
2. One who dotes on; one foolishly fond.
| 1552 Huloet, Doter or folower of women, mulierarius. 1653 H. More Antid. Ath. i. ix. (1712) 27 Aristotle, who was no doter on a Deity. 1742 Young Nt. Th. viii. 570 Patron of pleasure! doater on delight! 1852 J. H. Newman Scope Univ. Educ. 25 No doter upon the dead and gone. |
Hence † ˈdoteress, a female doter.
| 1668 Evelyn tr. Freart's Perfect. Paint. Pref. (R. Supp.) An old Dotaresse, who had only slaves in her service. |