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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
Sissi Liu, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
How Allergies Can Lead to Bronchitis Allergies occur when your immune system thinks certain substances, such as pollen, mold, pet dander, or dust, are harmful.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 12 Apr. 2025
Triggers include dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and mold.
—Verywell Health, 9 Apr. 2025
Are Down Alternative Comforters Suitable For People With Allergies?
For allergy sufferers, down alternative is the clear choice because down naturally traps allergens like dust mites and dander.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 23 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Dander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dander. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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dander
noun
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