Legal Definitions - dotage

Definition: Dotage refers to the state of being senile or feeble-minded in old age. It can also refer to foolish affection or excessive fondness.

1. After his stroke, Grandpa's mind began to deteriorate, and he soon fell into a state of dotage.

2. Despite her son's criminal behavior, the mother remained in a state of dotage and refused to believe he was capable of wrongdoing.

These examples illustrate the two different meanings of dotage. In the first example, dotage refers to the mental decline that often accompanies old age. In the second example, it refers to a foolish affection or excessive fondness, which causes the mother to overlook her son's criminal behavior.