jerk1
n.
- a quick, sharp, sudden movement.
- Weightlifting the raising of a barbell above the head from shoulder level by an abrupt straightening of the arms and legs.
- informal a contemptibly foolish person.
v.
- move with a jerk.
- Weightlifting raise (a barbell) with a jerk.
-
(jerk someone around)
N. Amer. informal deal with someone dishonestly or unfairly.
-
(jerk off)
vulgar slang, chiefly N. Amer. masturbate.
Derivative
Etymology
C16 (denoting a stroke with a whip): prob. imitative.
jerk2
v.
[
usu. as adj. jerked]
- cure (meat) by cutting it into strips and drying it.
- prepare (pork or chicken) by marinating it in spices and barbecuing it over a wood fire.
n.
jerked meat.
Etymology
C18: from Latin Amer. Sp. charquear, from charqui, from Quechua echarqui ‘dried flesh’.