Extremely fond of or loving someone, usually in a way that shows excessive attention, especially of parents toward children.
From 'dote' (to be excessively fond), possibly related to Dutch 'doten' (to be silly). The word suggests an almost obsessive quality to affection, potentially implying a loss of judgment.
Languages across cultures have words specifically for excessive or foolish love—English 'dote,' French 'gâter' (spoil), German 'vernarrt'—suggesting that every society recognizes this particular kind of love clouds judgment in entertaining and universal ways.
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