n. [ For Dotard? ] An old, decayed tree. [ R. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Marked with, or made of, dots or small spots; diversified with small, detached objects. [ 1913 Webster ]

Dotted note (Mus.), a note followed by a dot to indicate an increase of length equal to one half of its simple value; thus, a dotted semibreve is equal to three minims, and a dotted quarter to three eighth notes. --
Dotted rest, a rest lengthened by a dot in the same manner as a dotted note. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Notes and rests are sometimes followed by two dots, to indicate an increase of length equal to three quarters of their simple value, and they are then said to be double-dotted. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Dote, v. i. ] 1. (Zool.) A European bird of the Plover family (Eudromias morinellus, syn. Charadrius morinellus). It is tame and easily taken, and is popularly believed to imitate the movements of the fowler. [ 1913 Webster ]

In catching of dotterels we see how the foolish bird playeth the ape in gestures. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The ringed dotterel (or ring plover) is Charadrius hiaticula. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A silly fellow; a dupe; a gull. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. Dottard. ] Decayed. “Some old dotterel trees.” [ Obs. ] Ascham. [ 1913 Webster ]

See under Pun. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) See Dotterel. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ From 2d Dot. ] 1. Composed of, or characterized by, dots. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. [ Perh. a different word; cf. Totty. ] Unsteady in gait; hence, feeble; half-witted. [ Eng. ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]