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

This Levoit model was specifically designed to suck up dander and pet hair—as well as all the other stuff that air purifiers can crush like VOCs and smoke. —Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 9 Oct. 2024

Find it on Amazon This Air Purifier for Clean Living Keep your home fresh and safe with this air purifier that can capture hair, dander, mold, and even smoke. —Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024

Dust, pet dander, and hair can accumulate quickly around the edges of rooms and baseboards, so these areas at the base of a room or hidden behind furniture are commonly missed during a regular vacuuming session. —Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2024

The Levoit Air Purifier improves air quality by filtering smoke, allergens like dust and pet dander, and odors. —Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 5 Oct. 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