jerk

Definitions

1. 1.To beat; to strike. [Obs.] Florio.
2. 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. 3.To throw with a quick and suddenly arrested motion of the hand; as, to jerk a stone.
4. 4.To make a sudden motion; to move with a start, or by starts. Milton.
5. 5.To flout with contempt.
6. 6.A short, sudden pull, thrust, push, twitch, jolt, shake, or similar motion. His jade gave him a jerk. B. Jonson.
7. 7.A sudden start or spring. Lobsters . . . swim backwards by jerks or springs. Grew.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Related questions

• What does "jerk" mean?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is jerk.

• What is 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 called?
• What is to throw with a quick and suddenly arrested motion of the hand; as, to jerk a stone called?
• What is to make a sudden motion; to move with a start, or by starts. Milton called?
• What is a short, sudden pull, thrust, push, twitch, jolt, shake, or similar motion. His jade gave him a jerk. B. Jonson called?
• What is a sudden start or spring. Lobsters . . . swim backwards by jerks or springs. Grew called?