English Explanatory Dictionary

dandruff

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. scaly white dead skin flakes from the human scalp; Pityriasis capitis
verb
  1. To fall or cover with white flakes, like dandruff.

Pronunciation

/ˈdændɹʌf/ /ˈdændɹʊf/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-dandruff.wav /ˈdændɹəf/ [ˈdɛəndɹəf]

Word forms

dandruff dandruffs dandriff dandruffing dandruffed

Etymology

The word is first attested in 1545; the first element is obscure, but compare dander. The second element derives from a Northumbrian or East Anglian Middle English 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).

Synonyms

scurf

Derived words

antidandruff beardruff dander dandruffless dandrufflike dandruffy devil's dandruff leaping dandruff ocean dandruff
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