amok

adv

1. Out of control, especially when armed and dangerous.
2. 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

1. One who runs amok; in Malay and Moro/Philippine culture, one who attempts to kill many others, especially expecting that they will be killed themselves.

   “One morning, as we were sitting at breakfast, Mr. Carter's servant informed us that there was an "Amok" in the village--in other words, that a man was "running a muck."”

2. The act of running amok.

   “On the morning of the amok this person met him, and asked him to work at his boat “He replied that he could not, he was very much afflicted.”[…]The amok took place on the 8th, the trial on the 13th, and the execution on the 15th July,—all within eight days.”

   “Among the ancients these would have been looked upon as heroes or demigods who sacrificed themselves for their country. Here it is simply said--they made "amok."”

3. (uncountable)A kind of Southeast Asian curry steamed in banana leaves native to Cambodia.

verb

1. 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.”

   “Orders were immediately given to shut and fasten the gates of our enclosure; but hearing nothing for some time, we went out, and found there had been a false alarm, owing to a slave having run away, declaring he would "amok," because his master wanted to sell him.”

   “For the convenience of this paper I shall call the man who runs Amok an “Amoker,” and the crime “Amoking.” / It is necessary to state at once that I do not in any way intend to discuss the point as to whether the judicial execution of men Amoking is right or wrong, or as to whether execution of all Amokers would tend to lessen the frequency of the crime.”