Obselete spelling.

[ROBGORD]

What is the obsolete spelling for a word that, when applied to old age, means to be weak-minded?

[sandyRoe]

dotage?

[sandyRoe]

Maybe not. 'Dotage' is still in use, not obsolete.

[craft1948]

Decrepitude?

[squarebear]

had you put the full clue, we would have realised that it is only 4 letters and is probably "doat".

[mac44]

dote originally meant weak- minded, doat is an obsolete spelling.

[starone]

Someone else has posted this, unless rob has duplicated it and the answer is doat (the obsolete spelling of dote).

[sandyRoe]

Do mums still say to the children; 'you're a wee dote'?

[quinie]

Never heard that one,sandyRoe.
The Scots word for weak-minded is dottelt.When I did something daft today I said "I'm getting dottled in my old age" I don't think the person I spoke to knew what I was talking about!

[maggiebee]

That's the word I use Quinie - dottled says it all.

[THECORBYLOON]

I've not heard of dote but dottled is a word I use.

[ladyalex]

I thought that a 'dote' meant a darling...a loving name for a delightful child/person.
Or to ask for a favour ...'Be a dote and put the kettle on' or whatever..
But I'm Scottish, not Irish and I think it I've only heard Irish people using 'dote' in this way.
Or maybe I'm getting dottled too. (I know that one well...)

[starone]

I have always thought to dote on someone meant you worshipped them and treated them accordingly, but I have looked in the dictionary and dote has the meaning 'when applied to old age it means weak-minded'. It also gives the obsolete spelling of doat.

[quinie]

I don't like it when a person describes someone as senile (or sometimes a more derogatory word) though I know senile is the correct word. I always say dottelt (or dottled)
Hi,THECORBYLOON, fit like? A guid New Year an' mony o' them.

[THECORBYLOON]

Just looked up dote in a Scots dictionary and it can mean a dowry or being a gype.

Nae bad quinie, yirsel?. Ma mum used to speak about al' craturs even though she was in her 80s hersel and gey dottelt by the end

[quinie]

Starbuckone,you're right .To dote on someone does mean to love them very much- often used by grandparents who dote on their grandchildren

[quinie]

Long time since I saw "gype".It's time this al cratur wis awa' tae bed.