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