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jerk¹

(jûrk)

v. jerked, jerk·ing, jerks

v.tr.

1. To give a sudden quick thrust, push, pull, or twist to.

2. To throw or toss with a quick abrupt motion.

3. To utter abruptly or sharply: jerked out the answer.

4. To make and serve (ice-cream sodas, for example) at a soda fountain.

5. Sports To press (a weight) overhead from shoulder height in a quick motion.

v.intr.

1. To move in sudden abrupt motions; jolt: The train jerked forward.

2. To make spasmodic motions: My legs jerked from fatigue.

1. A sudden abrupt motion, such as a yank or twist.

2. A jolting or lurching motion.

3. Physiology A sudden reflexive or spasmodic muscular movement.

4. jerks Involuntary convulsive twitching often resulting from excitement. Often used with the.

5. Slang A foolish, rude, or contemptible person.

6. Sports A lift in which the weight is heaved overhead from shoulder height with a quick motion.

Phrasal Verbs:

jerk off Vulgar Slang

To masturbate.

jerk around

To take unfair advantage of, deceive, or manipulate.

[Origin unknown.]

jerker n.

jerking·ly adv.

jerk²

(jûrk)

tr.v. jerked, jerk·ing, jerks

To cut (meat) into long strips and dry in the sun or cure by exposing to smoke.

adj.

Being or relating to a method of barbecuing meat that has been seasoned and wrapped in leaves of the allspice tree: jerk chicken.

[Back-formation from JERKY².]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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