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Berserk

2 stages from Old Norse to English.

Today it means in a wild, uncontrollable state of rage or excitement
1
Stage 1 of 2
berserkr
Old Norse · medieval
"a frenzied warrior"
literally "bear-shirt", a warrior said to fight in a trance-like fury
2
Stage 2 of 2
berserk
English · 1800s
"in an uncontrollable, violent rage"
adopted as scholars studied Old Norse sagas
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