dander

noun

dan·​der ˈdan-dər 

1

: dandruff

specifically : minute scales from hair, feathers, or skin that may be allergenic

2

: anger, temper

now don't get your dander up

Did you know?

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 Web

These are the top vacuums to get fur and dander out of carpet and upholstery. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024

Whether your motivation behind adding an air purifier to your home is to help with smell, capture pet hair and dander, or make seasonal allergies more tolerable, now is the ideal time to purchase. —Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024

This vacuum is designed specifically to clean pet hair and invisible pet messes, such as dander and allergens. —Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2024

To find out why, Sokol and other allergists are researching how dust mites, cat and dog dander, or pollen are detected by the body. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of dandruff

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dander

• get someone's dander up

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Kids Definition

dander

noun

dan·​der ˈdan-dər 

1

: minute scales from hair, feathers, or skin that may cause allergy

2

: anger entry 1, temper

the insults got my dander up

Medical Definition

dander

noun

dan·​der ˈdan-dər 

: dandruff

specifically : minute scales from hair, feathers, or skin that may act as allergens