Danders

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A state of irritation or anger that can provoke strong emotional responses; small flakes or particles that may shed from the skin, especially of animals; an informal term referring to annoyance or frustration in a situational context
2. A condition characterized by feelings of displeasure or upset that may arise in stressful situations; tiny scaly pieces that detach from the skin, prominently associated with allergies; a casual expression denoting a mild or temporary state of being upset
3. An emotional state marked by a sense of rage or vexation that can lead to outbursts; minuscule bits of skin that can trigger discomfort for those with sensitivities; a common phrase indicating being unsettled or cross due to external factors

Etymology: "Danders" is the plural of "dander," and the singular is the more interesting half of the story. It is most likely a shortening of "dandruff," the flakes that drift off the scalp, and the sense was later extended to the fine skin flakes shed by animals, the thing that sets allergies off. The word has also come to mean a flare of temper, as in being "in a dander," so that a bit of dandruff has turned into a mood. The rest of the picture is murkier. One suggested source is an alteration of "dandle" or "daddle," verbs meaning to bounce or pat a child, but the link is uncertain and no clear chain of meaning connects a child's bouncing to scalp flakes. The clean, supported fact is the shortening from "dandruff," and the angry sense that grew out of the skin-flake sense in later use.

Synonyms: anger, irritation, annoyance, exasperation, frustration

Antonyms: calm, peace, composure, serenity, tranquility