verb
dodder
DAH-der/ˈdɑdər/
To move shakily from age or weakness.
The elderly woman dodders along the path, balancing with her cane and outstretched hand.
Etymology
Dodder originally meant “to shake, tremble,” an image that fits movement made unsteady by age or weakness. Its suggested connection with Middle English daderen, “to quake, tremble,” is uncertain.
More examples
- After weeks in bed, she dodders weakly around the house.
- The elderly man doddered down the hall, leaning on his cane.
- She steadies her frail father as he dodders toward the car.
Forms
dodder · dodders · doddered · doddering
Similar words
- totter
- Emphasizes unsteady balance, without specifying age or weakness.
- stagger
- Suggests lurching steps, often from injury, exhaustion, or intoxication.