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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
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
Plus, shop more of my favorite products for keeping my home allergy-, dust-, and dander-free, below.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025
Wet cleaning helps the fur and microscopic dander cling to the surface, making cleaning more effective.
—Molly Higgins, Wired News, 23 Oct. 2025
The Ball Animal 3 is specifically designed to pick up pet dander and stray hairs off of a variety of surfaces.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 14 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Dander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dander. Accessed 23 Nov. 2025.
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dander
noun
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