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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
Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2025
Though standard filters can capture hair, pleated filters do a better job of filtering pet dander from the air.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2025
The condition is triggered by things that can be found throughout the year, such as dust mites, pet dander and mold.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Allergies Allergies happen when your immune system overreacts to foreign substances, such as pollen, pet dander, or dust.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Dander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dander. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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dander
noun
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