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Webster 1913 Edition

Jerk

Jerk

(jẽrk)
,
Verb.
T.
[Corrupted from Peruv.
charqui
dried beef.]
To cut into long slices or strips and dry in the sun;
as, to
jerk
beef
. See
Charqui
.

Jerk

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Jerked
(jẽrkt)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Jerking
.]
[Akin to
yerk
, and perh. also to
yard
a measure.]
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

,
Verb.
I.
1.
To make a sudden motion; to move with a start, or by starts.
Milton.
2.
To flout with contempt.

Jerk

,
Noun.
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 1828 Edition

Jerk

JERK

,
Verb.
T.
[This is probably the Ch.Heb. to reach, to spit, that is, to throw out with a sudden effort.]
1.
To thrust out; to thrust with a sudden effort; to give a sudden pull, twitch, thrust or push, as, to jerk one under the ribs; to jerk one with the elbow.
2.
To throw with a quick, smart motion; as, to jerk a stone. We apply this word to express the mode of throwing to a little distance by drawing the arm back of the body, and thrusting it forward against the side or hip, which stops the arm suddenly.

JERK

,
Verb.
T.
To accost eagerly. [Not in use.]

JERK

,
Noun.
A short sudden thrust, push or twitch; a striking against something with a short quick motion; as a jerk of the elbow.
His jade gave him a jerk,
1.
A sudden spring.
Lobsters swim by jerks.

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