Middle English Dictionary Entry
dōtard n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dōtard n. Also (error) dochard. |
| Etymology | From dōte n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A fool, imbecile, simpleton, senile man; as adj.: foolish, senile.
Associated quotations
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.857 : Thise olde dotardes holours, yet wol they kisse, thogh they may nat do and smatre hem.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)6.2307 : Thoghte Alisandre..'Hierof this olde dotard lieth.'
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.291 : Thow seist that oxen..been assayed..But folk of wyues maken noon assay Til they be wedded, olde dotard shrewe! And thanne seistow we wil oure vices shewe.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.3097 : Þe olde fool, þis dotard Vlixes, A sone hadde be-geten on Circes Freshe & lusti, ȝonge and coraious.
- a1456(a1426) Lydg.Mum.Hertford (Trin-C R.3.20)133 : Þis is þe compleynt þat þeos dotardes oolde Make on þeyre wyves.
- a1450(1419) Loke how Flaundres (Dgb 102)105 : A fool, Þat wayueþ wit..And lyue in Lenton as in ȝool..Þouȝ þe dotard deye in dool, Þe ryȝtwys nel not rewe his ylle.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)230/239 : Why, dwellis he with þat dochard [read: dotard]?
- c1600(?c1395) PPl.Creed (Trin-C R.3.15)580 : But freres hauen forȝetten..Wher Fraunceis or Domynik oþer Austen ordeynide Any of þis dotardes doctur to worþe, Masters of dyvinitie.
- 1607(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hrl 2124)172/296 : Such dotards never shall, ne no sleeping slogard, make my right title cease.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)169/22 : Thow arte a fole dotdrat [?read: dotard] and ouer-trowes; how darryst thow make comparisone betwene gregory and thy-Selfe?
Note: New spelling: (error) dotdrat.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)169/22 : The voyce of the angill hym sayde, "Thow arte a fole dotdrat [?read: dotard] and ouer-trowes."
Note: New spelling: Also (error) dodrat.