v. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A short, sudden pull, thrust, push, twitch, jolt, shake, or similar motion. [ 1913 Webster ]

His jade gave him a jerk. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A sudden start or spring. [ 1913 Webster ]

Lobsters . . . swim backwards by jerks or springs. Grew. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A foolish, stupid, or otherwise contemptible person. [ Slang ]
Syn. -- jerkoff. [ PJC ]

4. (Sport) 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. [ PJC ]

2. Calisthenic exercises, such as push-ups or deep knee bends; also called physical jerks. [ British ] [ PJC ]

v. i. 1. To make a sudden motion; to move with a start, or by starts. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To flout with contempt. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Jerked p. pr. & vb. n. Jerking. ] [ Akin to yerk, and perh. also to yard a measure. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To beat; to strike. [ Obs. ] Florio. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To throw with a quick and suddenly arrested motion of the hand; as, to jerk a stone. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A beater. [ Obs. ] Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who jerks or moves with a jerk. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) A North American river chub (Hybopsis biguttatus). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Dim. of D. jurk a frock. ] A jacket or short coat; a close waistcoat. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) A male gyrfalcon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of pulling, pushing, or throwing, with a jerk. -- Jerk"ing*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. (Arch.) The hipped part of a roof which is hipped only for a part of its height, leaving a truncated gable. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. A lazy, foolish, stupid, or otherwise contemptible person; -- an offensive and disparaging term. [ vulgar slang ]
Syn. -- jerk. [ PJC ]