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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
Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2026
Dust mites, pet dander and mold concentrate in mattresses and pillows over time.
—Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
Dust is a mixture of microscopic particles from dirt, dead skin, pet dander, fiber, and dust mites.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Even animals that don’t shed fur still release dander and can track in dirt, grass, and debris from the environment.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Dander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dander. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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dander
noun
