sb. and adv. [lit. = ‘bare shirt,’ in reference to a current etymology of BERSERKER, q.v.] A. sb. (also attrib.) A BERSERKER, or wild Norse warrior; sometimes explained as a warrior fighting in his ‘bare shirt.’ B. adv. In a shirt only, without armor.

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1840.  Carlyle, Heroes, vi. The great savage Baresark.

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1857.  Emerson, Poems, 187. Thy sires … Failed to bequeath … The Baresark marrow to thy bones.

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1866.  Kingsley, Herew., xii. 169. I will go baresark to-morrow to the war.

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