jerk

I

[[t]dʒɜrk[/t]]

n.

1) a quick, sharp pull, thrust, twist, or the like; sudden, abrupt movement

2) phl a sudden involuntary muscle contraction, as of a reflex

3) sts Slang. a contemptibly naive, stupid, or insignificant person

4) spo (in weightlifting) the raising of a weight from shoulder height to above the head by straightening the arms

5) the jerks, involuntary, spasmodic muscular movements, as from emotional tension

6) to pull, twist, move, thrust, or throw with a quick, suddenly arrested motion:

She jerked the child by the hand[/ex]

7) inf Informal. to prepare and serve (sodas, ice cream, etc.) at a soda fountain

8) to give a jerk or jerks

9) to move with a quick, sharp motion; move spasmodically

10) inf Informal. to work as a soda jerk

11) cvb jerk around, to treat (someone) in a manipulative and deceitful manner

12) phv +sts jerk off, Vulgar Slang. to masturbate

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Etymology: 1540–50; perh. dial. var. of yerk to draw stitches tight (shoemaker's term) jerk′er, n. II

jerk

[[t]dʒɜrk[/t]] v. t.

1) coo to preserve (meat, esp. beef) by cutting in strips and drying in the sun

2) coo being or containing a spicy seasoning mixture flavored with allspice, used esp. in Jamaican cooking:

jerk sauce[/ex]

3) coo prepared with jerk flavorings, esp. by barbecuing or grilling:

jerk chicken[/ex]

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Etymology: 1700–10; < AmerSp charquear, der. of charqui jerky II