Main Entry:

¹ber·serk

Pronunciation:

\bə(r)-ˈsərk, ˌbər-, -ˈzərk; ˈbər-ˌ\

Variant(s):

or ber·serk·er \-ˈsər-kər, -ˈzər-; ˈbər-ˌ\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Old Norse berserkr, probably from ber- bear + serkr shirt

Date:

1818

1 : an ancient Scandinavian warrior frenzied in battle and held to be invulnerable 2 : one whose actions are recklessly defiant