Dandruff
/ˈdændɹəf/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 scaly white dead skin flakes from the human scalp; Pityriasis capitis uncountable, usually
"Dandruff is on my collar again."
- 2 loose scales shed from the scalp wordnet
- 3 a condition in which white scales of dead skin are shed by the scalp wordnet
Verb
- 1 To fall or cover with white flakes, like dandruff.
"The toaster is broken and salt is dandruffing my wool sweater."
Example
More examples"Warning: the lifeforms in this universe are surrounded by 10% dandruff. Would you like to set up a new one?"
Etymology
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).