dander1
/ˈdandə
/noun (in phrase get/have one's dander up) informal
Lose one’s temper: this doesn’t half get my dander up...
- People like to be inflamed, get their dander up, and the problem is, it's too easy.
- People got their dander up when their trash wasn't collected.
- Finally, I got my dander up and accosted him in his office.
Origin
Mid 19th century (originally US): of unknown origin.
Rhymes
dander2
/ˈdandə/noun [mass noun]
Flakes of skin in an animal’s fur or hair: you can keep your cat free of dander by proper care...
- House dust mites, pollens, animal dander, and other allergy-causing agents can be reduced, although not eliminated, through regular cleaning.
- Second, if you are outside doing anything with the dog, you will be bringing dander back into the house with you and setting off your wife's allergies.
- Unfortunately, strict avoidance of animal allergens is practically impossible, because even if domestic animals are not in the home there is still a possibility of significant exposure due to transfer of animal dander in public places.
Origin
Late 18th century: related to dandruff.
dander3
/ˈdandə/chiefly Scottish
noun
A stroll: we’ll take a bit of a dander and get the fresh air...
- By the time we got here the restaurant was near closing and we managed to throw a few steaks and a pint of the black stuff down us before a dander along the harbour and making of plans for the morrow.
- Fancying a dander during the Easter holidays, I opted for a leisurely stroll around the Forest Park.
- While she was at church I went for a dander along the beach.
verb [no object, with adverbial of direction]
Stroll: he dandered in to change his coat...
- After that, Ginty dandered about our wee town for a while and then he stood on the street corner and watched a few cars going up and down.
- I hope he got to the chapel on time because it wouldn't be the first time he dandered in late.
- Map in hand, I dander, uneasily, towards my hotel.
Origin
Late 16th century: frequentative form; perhaps related to dialect dadder 'quake' and daddle 'dawdle'.