v., jerked, jerk·ing, jerks. v.tr.
- To give a sudden quick thrust, push, pull, or twist to.
- To throw or toss with a quick abrupt motion.
- To utter abruptly or sharply: jerked out the answer.
- To make and serve (ice-cream sodas, for example) at a soda fountain.
- Sports. To press (a weight) overhead from shoulder height in a quick motion.
- To move in sudden abrupt motions; jolt: The train jerked forward.
- To make spasmodic motions: My legs jerked from fatigue.
- A sudden abrupt motion, such as a yank or twist.
- A jolting or lurching motion.
- Physiology. A sudden reflexive or spasmodic muscular movement.
- jerks Involuntary convulsive twitching often resulting from excitement. Often used with the.
- Slang. A foolish, rude, or contemptible person.
- Sports. A lift in which the weight is heaved overhead from shoulder height with a quick motion.
jerk off Vulgar Slang.
- To masturbate.
- To take unfair advantage of, deceive, or manipulate.
[Origin unknown.]
jerker jerk'er n.jerkingly jerk'ing·ly adv.
SYNONYMS jerk, snap, twitch, wrench, yank. These verbs mean to move with a sudden short, quick motion: jerked the rope twice to pull it taut; snapped the lock shut; was twitching her mouth nervously; wrenched the stick out of his hand; yanks the door open.
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; jerk pork.
[Back-formation from JERKY2.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
