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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
Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
Not everyone is allergic to the same thing and some people are allergic to multiple allergens, including certain types of pollen, pet dander, insect bites, mold, dust and certain foods.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
Which vacuum will better stand up to the dirt, dander, and summer sand strewn through the living room?
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 July 2025
Its three-layer filtration system effectively eliminates 99.9% of pollutants, including dust, pollen, smoke, pet dander and VOCs.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 19 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Dander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dander. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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dander
noun
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