amok
adverb
- in a reckless manner
adjective
- out of control
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /əˈmɒk/ / /əˈmʌk/ / /əˈmʊk/
adv
Etymology: Borrowed from Portuguese amouco, from Malay amuk (“to go on a killing spree”). The term first appeared in English around the 16th century, associated with the people of Malaysia and Java, first described in the 1516 text The Book of Duarte Barbosa, which was translated to English by Henry E. J. Stanley.
- Out of control, especially when armed and dangerous.
- In a frenzy of violence, or on a killing spree; berserk.
“It is true, I […] might have run “amok” against society; but I preferred that society should run “amok” against me, it being the desperate party.”
noun
Etymology: Etymology tree Khmer អាម៉ុក (ʼaamok)bor. English amok Borrowed from Khmer អាម៉ុក (ʼaamok, “to steam in banana leaves”).
- A kind of Southeast Asian curry steamed in banana leaves native to Cambodia.
verb
Etymology: Borrowed from Portuguese amouco, from Malay amuk (“to go on a killing spree”). The term first appeared in English around the 16th century, associated with the people of Malaysia and Java, first described in the 1516 text The Book of Duarte Barbosa, which was translated to English by Henry E. J. Stanley.
- Synonym of run amok.
“The Rájá not listening to this language, again tried to kill Gumpar with a spear, and all his people assisted in thrusting and cutting at him; there was a great hubbub, and people outside of the fort were astonished to learn that there was amoking within it.”
“After being there about ten minutes he revived, and soon entered into conversation with us; but he looked fiendish, as if something was preying upon his mind. This we found to be the case, as some gay Lothario had lately robbed him of his intended bride. Such causes in most instances lead to the Malay amoking (running a-muck).[…]I have never yet known a case of a Dyak amoking, yet it was of frequent occurrence among Malays in former times.”