Synonyms for berserk

Grammar : Adj

Spell : ber-surk, -zurk

Phonetic Transcription : bərˈsɜrk, -ˈzɜrk

Définition of berserk

Origin : 1844, from berserk (n.) "Norse warrior," by 1835, an alternative form of berserker (1822), a word which was introduced by Sir Walter Scott, from Old Norse berserkr (n.) "raging warrior of superhuman strength;" probably from *ber- "bear" + serkr "shirt," thus literally "a warrior clothed in bearskin." Thus not from Old Norse berr "bare, naked."
Thorkelin, in the essay on the Berserkir, appended to his edition of the Krisini Saga, tells that an old name of the Berserk frenzy was hamremmi, i.e., strength acquired from another strange body, because it was anciently believed that the persons who were liable to this frenzy were mysteriously endowed, during its accesses, with a strange body of unearthly strength. If, however, the Berserk was called on by his own name, he lost his mysterious form, and his ordinary strength alone remained. ["Notes and Queries," Dec. 28, 1850]
The adjectival use probably is from such phrases as berserk frenzy, or as a title (Arngrim the Berserk).

adj crazed

Example sentences :

I am ordered to send this berserk with a troop of nineteen men to waylay thee.
Extract from : « Erling the Bold » by R.M. Ballantyne

“King Harald would speak with thee,” said the man, who was no other than Hake the berserk.
Extract from : « Erling the Bold » by R.M. Ballantyne

A sort of berserk rage possessed him at the sight of that wound.
Extract from : « The Black Buccaneer » by Stephen W. Meader

He had all the fervour of the fanatic, and when he prayed his eyes assumed a Berserk look.
Extract from : « The Secrets of a Kuttite » by Edward O. Mousley

One never gets used to the bulk and height of these berserk Campanias.
Extract from : « A Fleet in Being » by Rudyard Kipling

But the innate craft of the wilderness rose to guide his berserk rage.
Extract from : « Red Nails » by Robert E. Howard

When angry they used to fall into the berserk's fury, and nothing escaped that was before them.
Extract from : « Grettir The Strong » by Unknown

The berserk was sitting on his horse wearing his helmet, the chin-piece of which was not fastened.
Extract from : « Grettir The Strong » by Unknown

Thereupon, half the female population ran after the berserk Martian.
Extract from : « Mars Confidential » by Jack Lait

And he and Thrain the Berserk still live in the popular songs of the North.
Extract from : « Stories and Ballads of the Far Past » by Nora Kershaw

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019