madden
UK[ˈmædən]US[ˈmædən]
v
to make someone extremely angry or annoyed
v
(in video games) to cause a computer-controlled opponent to become more aggressive or difficult to defeat
Etymology
the verb 'madden' is a straightforward english derivation from the adjective 'mad', meaning 'insane' or 'furious'. the adjective 'mad' itself has germanic origins, evolving from old english 'gemǣd(e)d', meaning 'made insane', which is related to the proto-germanic root 'maid-', signifying 'to change, damage, or cripple'. the addition of the common verb-forming suffix '-en' (as in 'widen', 'darken') directly creates the meaning 'to make mad'. this etymological path shows a clear and logical transition from a state of being to the action of causing that state.
Analysis
the word is a simplex verb formed from the adjective 'mad'.
Examples
his constant interruptions began to madden the entire team.
the unfair criticism seemed to madden the usually calm professor.
in higher difficulty levels, the game will madden enemy ai to increase the challenge.