berserk

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“
Hakon's men had formed a shield-circle round their chief, and were defending him bravely; but the berserk was an uncommonly stout man, very brisk and active, and exceedingly furious, as well as dexterous with his weapons.

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Definitions (10)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (6)

  1. adjective Destructively or frenetically violent: a berserk worker who started smashing all the windows.
  2. adjective Mentally or emotionally upset; deranged: berserk with grief.
  3. adjective Informal Unrestrained, as with enthusiasm or appetite; wild: berserk over chocolates.
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Examples (50)

  • That might make him go berserk, and possibly attack Gwenny, reversing his positive feeling for her. —  Piers Anthony - [Xanth 29] - Pet Peeve (2005)
  • The man had gone berserk, and was prepared to face a host and rend them with his naked fingers. —  THE ISLAND OF SHEEP
  • Anyway I missed him he came under my stern and I called him up and said: 'that was rather close wasn't' it? 'and he went absolutely berserk, and I thought which bit of the rules of the road have I not understood whereby you are supposed to get out of the way and I call you and ask what you are going to do, you tell me and you still end up hitting me. —  Sail-World.com USA Latest News
  • They have tried hard to insight rage in this country for an excuse to have marshal law and since we haven't gone berserk, they are destabilizing Mexico to continue the gun ban in this country. —  DaddyBlogger.com
  • Unless the running-mate goes berserk, all will be well. —  Megite Technology News: What's Happening Right Now
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This word has been looked up 158 times.

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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Back-formation from berserker.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. from Icelandic berserkr (omitting, as usual, the nominative suffix -r): see berserker.
 

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/ˈbərsərk/
by American Heritage

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