berserk

¹ber·serk

noun \bə(r)-ˈsərk, ˌbər-, -ˈzərk; ˈbər-ˌ\

Definition of BERSERK

1

: an ancient Scandinavian warrior frenzied in battle and held to be invulnerable

2

: one whose actions are recklessly defiant

Variants of BERSERK

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

Origin of BERSERK

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

First Known Use: 1818

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

Rhymes with BERSERK

artwork, at work, beadwork, breastwork, brickwork, bridgework, brightwork, brushwork, capework, casework, clockwork, coachwork, de Klerk, ductwork, Dunkirk, earthwork, falsework, fieldwork, file clerk, firework, flatwork, footwork, formwork, framework, fretwork, frostwork, glasswork, Grand Turk, grillwork, groundwork, guesswork, hackwork, handwork, hauberk, headwork, homework, housework, in work, ironwork, knee-jerk, lacework, lifework, make-work, meshwork, millwork, network, outwork, paintwork, patchwork, piecework, presswork, quillwork, rework, roadwork, salesclerk, schoolwork, scrollwork, shellwork, slopwork, Southwark, spadework, steelwork, stickwork, stonework, stump work, teamwork, timework, topwork, town clerk, waxwork, webwork, wheelwork, woodwork, young Turk

²berserk

adjective

Definition of BERSERK

: frenzied, crazed —usually used in the phrase go berserk <sinister ravings of an imagination gone berserk — John Gruen>

— berserk adverb

— ber·serk·ly adverb

First Known Use of BERSERK

1851

ber·serk

adjective \bə(r)-ˈsərk, ˌbər-, -ˈzərk, ˈbər-ˌ\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of BERSERK

: marked by crazed or frenzied behavior suggestive of sudden mental imbalance—usually used in the phrase go berserk

—berserk adverb