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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
Nena Farrell, Wired News, 11 June 2025
Common types include seasonal allergies (e.g., pollen, ragweed) and environmental allergies (e.g., mold, dust, pet dander).
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 25 Apr. 2025
Allergies and Asthma Allergies and allergic asthma symptoms occur when the immune system overreacts to environmental triggers, such as pollen, dust, or pet dander.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025
There are also year-round allergies that can be triggered by causes including dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches, indoor mold or food allergens.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 7 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Dander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dander. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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dander
noun
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