jerking

Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

jerk¹

(jûrk)

v. jerked, jerk·ing, jerks

v.tr.

1. To give a sudden quick thrust, push, pull, or twist to.

2. To throw or toss with a quick abrupt motion.

3. To utter abruptly or sharply: jerked out the answer.

4. To make and serve (ice-cream sodas, for example) at a soda fountain.

5. Sports To press (a weight) overhead from shoulder height in a quick motion.

v.intr.

1. To move in sudden abrupt motions; jolt: The train jerked forward.

2. To make spasmodic motions: My legs jerked from fatigue.

1. A sudden abrupt motion, such as a yank or twist.

2. A jolting or lurching motion.

3. Physiology A sudden reflexive or spasmodic muscular movement.

4. jerks Involuntary convulsive twitching often resulting from excitement. Often used with the.

5. Slang A foolish, rude, or contemptible person.

6. Sports A lift in which the weight is heaved overhead from shoulder height with a quick motion.

Phrasal Verbs:

jerk off Vulgar Slang

To masturbate.

jerk around

To take unfair advantage of, deceive, or manipulate.

[Origin unknown.]

jerk′er n.

jerk′ing·ly adv.

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.

[Back-formation from jerky.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Switch to new thesaurus

Noun	1.	jerking - an abrupt spasmodic movement jerk, jolt, saccade movement, motility, motion, move - a change of position that does not entail a change of location; "the reflex motion of his eyebrows revealed his surprise"; "movement is a sign of life"; "an impatient move of his hand"; "gastrointestinal motility"
Adj.	1.	jerking - lacking a steady rhythm; "an arrhythmic heartbeat" arrhythmic, jerky unsteady - subject to change or variation; "her unsteady walk"; "his hand was unsteady as he poured the wine"; "an unsteady voice"

Mentioned in ?

References in classic literature ?

The borzois jumped up, jerking the rings of the leashes and pricking their ears.

View in context

Thaddeus Sholto," said the little man, still jerking and smiling.

View in context

Steadily and remorselessly the stone knife was driven home through the glossy hide--time and again it drank deep, until with a final agonized lunge and shriek the great feline rolled over upon its side and, save for the spasmodic jerking of its muscles, lay quiet and still in death.

jerking

jerk 1

jerk 2

jerk¹

jerk²