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Dandruff

//ˈdændɹəf// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    scaly white dead skin flakes from the human scalp; Pityriasis capitis uncountable, usually

    "Dandruff is on my collar again."

  2. 2
    loose scales shed from the scalp wordnet
  3. 3
    a condition in which white scales of dead skin are shed by the scalp wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To fall or cover with white flakes, like dandruff.

    "The toaster is broken and salt is dandruffing my wool sweater."

Etymology

Etymology 1

The word is first attested in 1545; the first element is obscure, but compare Yorkshire dialect, dander (skin scurf). The second element derives from a Northumbrian or East Anglian term huff or hruff, hurf (“scab”), from Old Norse hrufa. Compare Dutch roof, Luxembourgish Roff. Related with Proto-Germanic *hreubaz, *hreufaz (“rough, scabby”), source of Old English hrēofla (“leprosy, leper”). More at reef (etymology 3).

Etymology 2

The word is first attested in 1545; the first element is obscure, but compare Yorkshire dialect, dander (skin scurf). The second element derives from a Northumbrian or East Anglian term huff or hruff, hurf (“scab”), from Old Norse hrufa. Compare Dutch roof, Luxembourgish Roff. Related with Proto-Germanic *hreubaz, *hreufaz (“rough, scabby”), source of Old English hrēofla (“leprosy, leper”). More at reef (etymology 3).

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