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
Recent Examples on the WebThe protector acts as a barrier against dust mites, allergens, and pet dander.—Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 June 2024 Allergic asthma is triggered by exposure to certain allergens, such as cigarette smoke, pollen, pet dander, dust mites, mold, and even weather elements.—Amanda Gardner, Health, 1 June 2024 The unit includes multiple filters that help capture pollen, pet dander, smoke, and food odors in rooms up to 600 square feet.—Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024 This test is usually done to identify allergies to pollen, mold, pet dander, dust mites and foods.—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 11 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for dander
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dander.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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