amok
UK[əˈmɒk]US[əˈmʌk]
adv
to behave in a wild and uncontrolled way, especially trying to kill people
adv
(of a system or process) to be in a state of uncontrolled and chaotic activity
Etymology
the word 'amok' entered english in the 17th century from portuguese, which had borrowed it from the malay word 'amuk', meaning 'attacking furiously'. in malay culture, 'running amok' described a specific state of frenzied violence, often attributed to a loss of spirit or possession. the term was adopted by european colonial writers to describe this phenomenon, and its usage broadened in english to signify any uncontrolled, chaotic, and violently frenzied behavior. over time, its application extended metaphorically beyond human behavior to describe systems or processes in a state of rampant disorder.
Analysis
the word 'amok' is a simplex loanword from malay, where it functions as an adverb or adjective. it is not productively formed from smaller morphemes within the english spelling system.
Examples
the soldier ran amok, firing his weapon indiscriminately.
after the main server failed, the automated trading software went amok, creating market chaos.
rumors about the scandal ran amok through the newsroom.