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Entry 11 senses · 4 variants Webster, 1913

Jerk

/(jẽrk)/ · IPA /ˈd͡ʒɝk/
01 v. t. To cut into long slices or strips and dry in the sun; as, to jerk beef. See Charqui.
  1. 1.
    To cut into long slices or strips and dry in the sun; as, to jerk beef. See Charqui. See: Charqui
02 v. t. To beat; to strike.
imp. & p. p. Jerked; p. pr. & vb. n. Jerking
  1. 1.
    To beat; to strike.[Obs.]
  2. 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. 3.
    To throw with a quick and suddenly arrested motion of the hand; as, to jerk a stone.
03 v. i. To make a sudden motion; to move with a start, or by starts.
  1. 1.
    To make a sudden motion; to move with a start, or by starts.
  2. 2.
    To flout with contempt.
04 n. A short, sudden pull, thrust, push, twitch, jolt, shake, or similar motion.
  1. 1.
    A short, sudden pull, thrust, push, twitch, jolt, shake, or similar motion.
    “His jade gave him a jerk.” — B. Jonson.
  2. 2.
    A sudden start or spring.
    “Lobsters . . . swim backwards by jerks or springs.” — Grew.
  3. 3.
    A foolish, stupid, or otherwise contemptible person.[Slang]
  4. 4.
    The lifting of a weight, in a single rapid motion, from shoulder height until the arms are outstretched above the head; distinguished from press in that the motion in a jerk is more rapid, and the body may be moved under the weight to assist completion of the movement; as, a clean and jerk of two hundred pounds.(Sport)
  5. 5.
    Calisthenic exercises, such as push-ups or deep knee bends; also called physical jerks.[British] Also: physical jerks
Syn. jerkoff.