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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
Nora Colomer, Fox News, 17 Jan. 2025
These filtration systems are well-equipped with HEPA filters that can remove bacteria, dust, dander, smoke, and other allergens from the air.
—Melissa Epifano, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025
However, there are some circumstances that depend on your home and may require cleaning before the three year mark to reduce dust, pet dander, pollen or mold in your home.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025
The National Eye Institute also notes that allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mold, and dander can also cause or contribute to pink eye.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Dander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dander. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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dander
noun
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