Driven to extreme anger or fury, often beyond rational control. Describes a state where anger has intensified to the point of overwhelming other emotions and clear thinking.
From Old English 'gemǣdd' (made mad) combined with the suffix '-en' (to make or become). Originally referred to literal madness or insanity, but by the 14th century included intense anger that impairs judgment.
The word 'maddened' reveals how our ancestors understood the connection between rage and mental clarity - extreme anger literally hijacks our prefrontal cortex, the brain region responsible for rational decision-making, creating a temporary state similar to madness!
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