madman
(ˈmædmən)
[Originally two words: see mad a. and man n.]
One who is insane; a lunatic. Also transf. and hyperbolically, one who behaves like a lunatic, a wildly foolish person.
| 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. ix. 69 Faderelees children; And wydwes,..Madde men, and maydenes, þat helplees were. c 1475 Rauf Coilȝear 441, I am bot ane mad man. ? a 1500 Chester Pl. (Shaks. Soc.) II. 168 Madmen, maddmen, leeve on me, That am on god, so is not he. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon xxiii. 68 He wyll come after vs lyke a madd man. 1601 Shakes. Twel. N. i. v. 115 Fetch him off I pray you, he speakes nothing but madman. 1611 Bible 1 Sam. xxi. 15 Haue I need of mad-men, that ye haue brought this fellow to play the mad-man in my presence? 1648 Boyle Seraph. Love xiv. (1700) 84 The wicked's spite against God is but like a madman's running his head against the wall. 1674 Marvell Corr. Wks. 1872–5 II. 424 Carleton the B[ishop] of Bristol hath played the madman in that City. 1796 Morse Amer. Geog. I. 547 This hospital is the general receptacle of lunatics and madmen. 1810 Scott Lady of L. ii. xxxiv, Madmen, forbear your frantic jar! 1843 A. Bethune Sc. Fireside Stor. 75, I have been a madman and a fool. 1885 Manch. Exam. 16 May 5/1 Policemen who find a half-naked madman howling at midnight. |