jerk Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a dull stupid fatuous person
    dork.
  2. noun an abrupt spasmodic movement
    jerking; jolt; saccade.
  3. noun (mechanics) the rate of change of acceleration
  4. noun meat (especially beef) cut in strips and dried in the sun
    jerky; jerked meat.
  5. noun raising a weight from shoulder height to above the head by straightening the arms
  6. noun a sudden abrupt pull
    tug.
  7. verb pull, or move with a sudden movement
    yank.
    • He turned the handle and jerked the door open
  8. verb move with abrupt, seemingly uncontrolled motions
    twitch.
    • The patient's legs were jerkings
  9. verb make an uncontrolled, short, jerky motion
    twitch.
    • his face is twitching
  10. verb jump vertically, with legs stiff and back arched
    buck; hitch.
    • the yung filly bucked
  11. verb throw or toss with a quick motion
    flick.
    • flick a piece of paper across the table
    • jerk his head

WordNet

Jerk transitive verb
Etymology
Corrupted from Peruv. charqui dried beef.
Definitions
  1. To cut into long slices or strips and dry in the sun; as, jerk beef. See Charqui.
Jerk transitive verb
Etymology
Akin to yerk, and perh. also to yard a measure.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Jerked ; present participle & verbal noun Jerking
Definitions
  1. To beat; to strike. Obs. Florio.
  2. To give a quick and suddenly arrested thrust, push, pull, or twist, to; to yerk; as, to jerk one with the elbow; to jerk a coat off.
  3. To throw with a quick and suddenly arrested motion of the hand; as, to jerk a stone.
Jerk intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make a sudden motion; to move with a start, or by starts. Milton.
  2. To flout with contempt.
Jerk noun
Definitions
  1. A short, sudden pull, thrust, push, twitch, jolt, shake, or similar motion.
    His jade gave him a jerk. B. Jonson.
  2. A sudden start or spring.
    Lobsters . . . swim backwards by jerks or springs. Grew.

Webster 1913