Both Uses of
doting
in
The Merry Wives of Windsor
- I never knew a woman so dote upon a man: surely I think you have charms, la!†
Scene 2.2 *dote = demonstrate love and uncritical affection
- I have long loved her, and, I protest to you, bestowed much on her; followed her with a doting observance; engrossed opportunities to meet her; fee'd every slight occasion that could but niggardly give me sight of her; not only bought many presents to give her, but have given largely to many to know what she would have given; briefly, I have pursued her as love hath pursued me; which hath been on the wing of all occasions.†
Scene 2.2
Definitions:
-
(1)
(doting) demonstrating love and uncritical affectionDoting may also imply that the doter tends to hover around the person they love to help attend to any needs.
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Less commonly, in classic literature you may encounter doting in reference to old age -- especially old age leading to diminished mental capacity.