— berserkly , adv. — berserkness , n.
/beuhr serrk", -zerrk"/ , adj.
1. violently or destructively frenzied; wild; crazed; deranged: He suddenly went berserk.
n.
2. ( sometimes cap. ) Scand. Legend. Also, berserker . an ancient Norse warrior who fought with frenzied rage in battle, possibly induced by eating hallucinogenic mushrooms.
[ 1865-70; berserkr, equiv. to ber- (either * ber-, base of bjorn BEAR 2 or berr BARE 1 ) + serkr SARK, shirt, armor ]
Syn. 1. violent, mad, maniacal, rabid, demented, lunatic.
Ant. 1. rational, calm.