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How did dander acquire its "temper" sense? There are several theories, though the evidence is inconclusive. It has been proposed that the meaning comes from the image of an angry person tearing out their hair by the fistful, scattering dandruff in the process. Some think it comes from a West Indian word dander, which refers to a kind of ferment and suggests "rising" anger (in English, ferment can mean "a state of unrest or excitement"). Others have suggested that the "anger" sense comes from the Dutch phrase op donderen, meaning "to burst into a sudden rage."
Examples of dander in a Sentence
Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2025
Sheets can collect bacteria, dust mites, and pet dander that may make those problems worse.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 June 2025
That creates a moist atmosphere in which fungus and bacteria can thrive, and that doesn't even include all the other dirt, dander and pet fur that can be found in our beds!
—Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
This cordless vac has powerful suction, cyclonic filtration, a brushless motor, an easily removable roller bar, and lights on the vacuum head to better see pet hair and dander.
—Nena Farrell, Wired News, 11 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Dander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dander. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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dander
noun
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